Matthew Reed Triathlete, Olympic participant 2008 Date of Birth: 08.11.1975 Country: USA

1. Biography of Matthew Reed
2. Early Life and Sports Career
3. Transition to the United States
4. Achievements
5. Olympic Qualification and Personal Life

Biography of Matthew Reed

Matthew Reed, a triathlete and participant of the 2008 Olympics, was a talented athlete in many sports. However, due to a lack of time, he decided to focus on triathlon, as running, swimming, and cycling were his favorite sports. He excelled in swimming and running.

Early Life and Sports Career

Matthew Reed was born on November 8, 1975, in Palmerston North, New Zealand. He grew up in New Zealand and attended high school where he was a leading athlete. In addition to triathlon, he also participated in sports such as basketball, rugby, and cricket. Reed showed talent in multiple sports but ultimately chose triathlon due to his love for running, swimming, and cycling.

Transition to the United States

Since 2004, Matthew Reed has been representing the United States national team. In 2007, he officially became a citizen of the United States. Prior to 2004, Reed competed for New Zealand, but he decided to switch to another country's team because he saw greater potential there than in his homeland. This decision provided him with more training opportunities, and he was coached by the top specialists in the United States.

Achievements

In 2005 and 2006, Matthew Reed finished third in the national triathlon championship. In the same year, he won the World Championship along with Andy Potts and Brian Fleischmann. In 2007, Reed showcased his skills at the World Cup held in Vancouver, securing a third-place finish.

In 2008, Matthew Reed won his first U.S. Elite National Championship, surpassing his long-time rival, Craig Alexander. An interesting fact about Reed's life is his nickname, "Boom Boom," which he acquired while swimming with elite Australian swimmers. One day, he approached one of his Australian friends during a competition and said the phrase "Boom Boom" in his ear, and from then on, everyone started calling him that. In his first triathlon tournament, Reed won at the age of 15, when he was better known as "Big Matt."

Olympic Qualification and Personal Life

In 2008, Matthew Reed finished fifth in the Olympic qualification. He represented the United States in the Olympics and is currently considered one of the favorites in the games. Reed is now a father of two children and is married to Kelly Reed, formerly known as Kelly Riiz. The couple got married in 2003. His wife, like him, is a professional triathlete who has participated in various world and national tournaments. In 2005, Kelly was involved in a motorcycle accident with a 15-ton truck. Currently, the whole family resides in their own home in Colorado.