While he has only been racing in a wheelchair since 2010, it hasn’t taken long for Rheed McCracken to adapt to his chosen method of racing. Making national selection for the first time at the 2011 IWAS World Games, Rheed registered an extremely impressive debut performance where he won gold in the 100m and silver in four more events to qualify for his first Paralympics at London 2012.

Having made it to London, Rheed put his best performance forward to win bronze in the T34 200m followed by silver in the 100m. His outstanding performances were recognised when he was named the Australian Paralympic Committee’s Junior Athlete of the Year, alongside swimmer Maddison Elliott.

Born with cerebral palsy, Rheed’s athletic career has been on an accelerated curve. Still only a teenager who not long ago was overawed to have met his hero, four-time Paralympian Kurt Fearnley, Rheed has now not only competed with his hero but is following in his footsteps, winning the junior division of the 2013 Oz Day 10km and finishing third in the 2011 Gold Coast Half Marathon.

Hailing from Bundaberg on the North Queensland coast, Rheed enjoys his time spent at home in the pristine blue waters attempting to catch tropical fish. A student at Bundaberg High School, his mum and dad have been hugely influential figures throughout his career, providing fantastic support in his rapid ascent in Paralympic sport. The teenage sprint star is also a passionate advocate of disability sport and he hopes to continue this work in years to come.