Paralympics 2024: Amanda Reid driven to help next generation of stars, communities

When Amanda Reid became the first woman to win a Paralympic gold medal in cycling, while also breaking the world record she was just one of three Indigenous athletes selected on the Australian team.

She hopes her determination to win back-to-back Paralympic gold in the 500m time trial C2 at Paris will help inspire the next generation of Indigenous stars.

However, the proud Wemba Wemba and Guring-gai woman says more needs to be done to increase the opportunities for Indigenous athletes with disabilities.

It’s why one of Australia’s most decorated Paralympic heroes is calling for greater funding for Indigenous para-athletes.

The three-time Paralympian has seen the challenges first-hand growing up in Sydney, often battling to find ways to fund her own dreams.

Reid, who has cerebral palsy and an intellectual impairment, said she had been fortunate to grow up in housing areas.

She said there were even bigger challenges for those in rural Indigenous communities.

“These communities have people who are talented but how can we help them become involved in sport if they can’t afford it,” she said.

“I would like to see help for all Indigenous para-athletes. When I was coming up, it was extremely difficult to find funding or anything so I understand how hard it is for the next generation.

“I would love to try and change the way it is for our mob. We’re disadvantaged, we don’t always have the funds to buy equipment, especially para-athletes.

“It’s definitely more costly when you need different types of equipment or you need something modified.

“That stuff always comes with a hefty price tag.”

Reid along with Samantha Schmidt and Ruby Storm were the Indigenous athletes on the Australian Paralympic team to compete in Tokyo.

Now she’s determined to do her part to help that number grow.

“I hope there’s more than three of us (going to Paris) that would be nice,” she said.

“When you compare the numbers, we have a lot of work to do to get more Indigenous para-athletes playing sport or getting involved in sport.

“It’s important for us to inspire the next generation because what happens after we’re finished with sport?

“We need the next generation to come in.

“If an up and coming athlete or even current Indigenous athlete needed to reach out, I’m more than happy to pick up the phone, have a chat to them about anything.”

Three-time Paralympic gold medalist Ben Austin said further support is needed.

And he is hoping to make opportunities possible with his work on a soon to be announced Paralympics Indigenous advisory board.

“Participation not just at the Paralympic level, just at grassroots level,” he said.

“We need to find out what barriers are stopping us Indigenous mob from even participating. If you’ve got a disability and you’re indigenous, the needs are already so much greater.

“Majority of Aboriginal people living in rural areas, those communities can be disadvantaged. “Do they have access to modifications, is there access to sporting equipment because para-sports need specialized equipment.

“We want to make sure modifications in the future can be available through some type of funding.”

Austin said incorporating Indigenous culture into the pathway could also make for a more inclusive environment.

“We have identified putting the systems in place for a culturally safe environment at the grassroots and elite level pathways,” he said.

“The way we create those is more of this wonderful culture of ours into the Australian Paralympic organisation and high performance pathway.

“We’re not saying things have been completely bad but we can add this rich fabric which makes up our Australian identity whether you are Aboriginal or not.”

Looking ahead to Paris, Reid, who competed as a swimmer at the 2012 Paralympics in London, said her goals were simple.

“I want back-to-back gold,” she declared.

Her form suggests she’ll be right among the favourites in the velodrome.

At the 2024 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro she won the 500m time trial C2, her fifth title in a row, and the scratch race C1-C2.

It came after a 2023 where she won several medals at the same titles while earlier in the year won gold at the World Para Snowboard Championships.

“I think I am wiser,” Reid said of the difference in her preparations from previous Paralympic preparations.

“I took the European winter off and have prioritised my cycling.

“I’ve been able to take away lessons from Tokyo and hopefully I can put those into place in Paris.

“Hopefully I can just ride faster than I’ve ever ridden before.”