The 28-year-old London 2012 silver medallist, who has already competed in several able-bodied events, said she was "devastated" when she found out her F44 long jump was not included on the Glasgow 2014 sports programme but insisted that that was not going to stop her from representing her country at another home Games.

"I always planned on competing in the Commonwealth Games," Reid told insidethegames.

"I am half Scottish, and my Dad is Glaswegian – there was no way I wanted to miss out on this.

"In athletics, the Commonwealth Games includes three female disability events.

"I was devastated when I was told that my event in the long jump was not going to be included.

"So I could either sit around being disappointed, or try a different route.

"I remembered the poster that was on the wall in my classroom when I was eight-years-old.

"It was a picture of outer space, and it said 'Reach for the moon.

"'Even if you miss you will land among the stars'.

"There is no downside here.

"The only way I can fail at this is if I don't try."


One thing Reid was keen to point out is that her desire to compete alongside able-bodied athletes is not "a gimmick" but the only way she can compete in her home nation at next year's Commonwealth Games.

"I am a proud Paralympian," she told insidethegames.

"I don't need to validate myself or my sport by proving I can compete in able-bodied events.

"If my event was included in the Paralympic roster in Glasgow, then I would do it.

"But it is not, so I have to try another route."

Reid needs to jump 6.22 metres to qualify for Glasgow 2014, which is more than a metre further than her personal best of 5.28 metres, but she believes this is more than achievable and makes the whole experience more of an adventure.

"Yes, it would be a huge undertaking for most able bodied athletes to improve by this much," she explained.

"But, you need to understand disability sport.

"These sorts of improvements are possible and happen all the time.

"Part of it is because of increased access to better coaching and training facilities.

"Part of it is improvements in technology.

"Part of it is because many of the athletes are still quite new to the sport, and still improving.

"I started quite late in the sport.

"After talking to several people with a variety of expertise, I know that it is possible for me to improve significantly.

"I don't know by how much.

"If I did, that would make the whole thing kind of boring, and take the adventure out of it."


Reid does, however, remain pragmatic about her chances of making the podium at Glasgow 2014, saying: "My training partner, Shara Proctor, jumps seven metres, the chances of me medalling are slim."

"Why would you base your success on a parameter that is out of your control?" Reid added.

"I can't control the performances of my competitors.

"You stand on the runway alone.

"I aim for a good performance, and to have the courage and confidence to respond to another competitor's challenge.

"If I do that and end up fifth, I am disappointed, but I can look at myself in the mirror and be proud."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
June 2013: Paralympic gold medallists named on 48-strong British team for IPC Athletics World Championships
May 2013: Oliveira excited as Paralympians prepare for debut at BT Great CityGames Manchester
April 2013: British Paralympic medallist to star in new Debenhams advertising campaign promoting diversity
March 2013: Paralympic athletes to compete at Great CityGames Manchester for first time
January 2013: Paralympic star Reid excited to be making history at Glasgow International Match