Sport

This Indigenous Paralympian is making history on the slopes

The Gurinagi and Wamba Wamba athlete will make history competing for Australian in snowboarding at the Paralympic Games.

Para Cycling Track - Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games: Day 3

2024 summer Olympic gold medallist Amanda Reid will head to the winter Paralympics, the first Indigenous athlete to do so. Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images

Amanda Reid continues to break new ground by becoming the first Indigenous athlete selected for an Australian Winter Paralympics team.

Reid was among four Para snowboard competitors named in Switzerland on Wednesday night (AEDT), along with team captain Sean Pollard, veteran Ben Tudhope and Aaron McCarthy.

The 29-year-old started winter competition in 2023, the same year she was named Australian cyclist of the year.

Reid was the first para-cyclist and the first Indigenous competitor to win the "Oppy" - the Sir Hubert Opperman medal.

It was a big year for Reid, also winning the snowboard cross at her debut para world championships.

She will compete in the banked slalom and snowboard cross at the Paralympics from March 6 in Milan-Cortina.

2016 Rio Paralympic Games - Day Three
Australia's Amanda Reid competes in the track cycling Women's C1-2-3 500M Time Trial during the third day of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Credit: PA/Alamy

Reid won gold medals in track cycling at the 2021 and '24 Paralympics after previously representing Australia in swimming at the '12 Para Games.

"Amanda's journey is extraordinary," team chef de mission Ben Troy said.

"She has already reached the pinnacle of Paralympic sport yet continues to challenge herself in new arenas.

"Stepping onto the snow at Milano Cortina is not just another competition for her, it's a moment of national significance.

"She's opening doors, honouring her heritage and showing young Indigenous Australians that no dreams are beyond reach."

Another summer Paralympic star, Lauren Parker, is also set to be named in the Australian winter team.

After winning gold in road para-cycling and para-triathlon, Parker has switched to biathlon and cross-country for the winter Paralympics.

More Australian selections will be named on Thursday and Friday nights.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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