Born

15 November 1990

Known for

Melissa Reid is a disabled athlete. She has won World, European and British championships in the paratriathlon. In 2016, Melissa won a bronze medal in the Rio Paralympics. Melissa encourages young people to get involved in sport.

Melissa Reid yw athletes evredhek. Hi re waynyas kampyoriethow Ollvysel, Europek ha Bretenek y’n paratriathlon. Melissa a gennerth tus yowynk dhe omvyska yn sport ynwedh.

Melissa Reid
Melissa Reid
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Early life

Melissa lives near Truro. She has visual impairment, which means that she is blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other. For several years, she competed against non-disabled people in a range of sports, including swimming, surfing and surf life saving. 

​Paratriathlete

In 2011, Melissa entered her first paratriathlon: an event for disabled people that includes running, swimming and cycling. Melissa has a guide to help her compete in the event and uses a tandem (a bicycle built for two people) for cycling. 

Melissa Reid cycling on a tandem bicycle
Melissa Reid cycling on a tandem bicycle with a guide

Achievements

After coming second in the World Championship in 2011, Melissa went on to win the British and European Championships, and the World Grand Final in 2013. She also came first in the World Paratriathlon Event and the World Aquathlon (swimming and running) Championships in 2014 and 2015. Melissa qualified for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, and won a bronze medal.

Melissa Reid at Rio 2016 with Nicole Walters
Melissa Reid competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with her guide Nicole Walters
Image by David Pearce

Coaching

Melissa has coached at the TR1swim Club in Truro and St Austell Swimming Club. In 2012, she was named Cornwall's Young Coach of the Year and in 2013 she was the BBC South West Disabled Athlete of the Year. 

Melissa has worked with Cornwall Sports Partnership to encourage more young people to become involved with sport. She has also worked with the Royal London Society for Blind People to help blind and partially sighted young people to take up sport.

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