Three time Paralympian cyclist Amanda Reid only lives in Gerringong for part of the year, but we are claiming her as a local.

She is bringing home the Gold Medal and a world record after an outstanding ride in the C1-3 500m Time Trial Cycling Paralympics event.

The 24 year old clocked in 38.487 seconds to win.

Amanda not only broke her own world record which was previously 38.918 but she was also the only rider in the whole event to finish under 39 seconds.

Amanda’s mother Katherine was thrilled.

“It’s absolutely fantastic, words simply can’t sum it up,” she says.

“It was even more special with the world record – it was like a double win for her.

“I admit as a parent it did seem very different to see Amanda’s face on the TV.

“That’s when it hit home how much Amanda has matured and how sport has enabled her to travel the world, as well as helping with her personal development.”

Amanda, who has cerebral palsy and an intellectual impairment, is now a five time para-cycling world champion as well as a three time Paralympian.

After competing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the S14 100 metre breaststroke, she transitioned to cycling ahead of the Rio 2016 Games, where she won a Silver Medal.

“Amanda cycled on the track and the road when she was little but because in competition cycling you can’t compete internationally until you’re eighteen, she couldn’t get classified as a young cyclist so she decided to focus on her swimming,” says Katherine.

“It was only when she came across her old cycling jersey from about age seven that she thought to give cycling a go again.”

Amanda is a Guringai and Wemba Wemba woman, and has made Paralympics history as the first Indigenous Australian to win a cycling gold medal.

She divides her time living and training between Gerringong, Sydney and the Snowy Mountains.

When in Gerringong she lives with her grandparents, Christine and Tom Gallagher.

“I was beside myself when she won,” says Christine.

“The number of things that Amanda has been through in her life is absolutely amazing and she has always come out on the other side.

“Her timetable changes so much but she’s got a home here with us when she stays throughout the year.

“I’ve got a bright red car so when she trains here, I’ve been known to have a ‘rider ahead’ or ‘rider behind’ sign on my windscreen as I follow her to make sure everything’s okay during her ride.”

Amanda received a Kiama Electorate Community Recognition Award from Gareth Ward MP back in 2016

When Amanda isn’t training with coach Tom Dawson, she spends some of her time snowboarding and living in the Snowies.

“She trains for cycling with Tom, who mentors her as well, and they like to go on the outdoor track at Unanderra and do the rides around Wollongong,” says Katherine.

“But she also finds by going down to the snow she gets the opportunity to do altitude training and the snowboarding keeps her fit and makes her muscles work.”

There is no stopping now for Amanda who has her sights set on another gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

“Amanda is still only 24 so I think she still has capacity to compete in another two Games,” says Katherine.

“She has said she’d love to be able to do five Games if her body holds up.

“As she’s getting older, she’s understanding more about how her body works with her disabilities.”

Her proud mum says it is still only just sinking in that Amanda is the reigning Paralympic champion and world record holder.