About Stef Reid
Background
Stef Reid is a British Paralympic long jumper and sprinter. She is a World Champion, four-time Paralympian, triple Paralympic medallist, and five-time world record holder. Stef has a degree in biochemistry, and her adventures off the track include acting, modelling (including being the first amputee to walk the London Fashion Week catwalk!), and serving as Vice President for The Leprosy Mission UK and British Athletics. Recently, Stef competed in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics and starred in the British reality TV show Dancing On Ice 2022, making it to the quarter finals and showing the world you can learn to skate with an artificial foot!
Stef was born in New Zealand to a Scottish father and English mother, grew up in Toronto, and moved to Dallas, Texas with her Canadian husband all before settling back in the UK in 2010. Stef’s talent and passion for sport were spotted early, and at 12 she was already dreaming of playing rugby on the world stage. But at 15, Stef was involved in a boating accident and suffered severe propeller lacerations. Her life was saved but her right foot was damaged beyond repair and amputated.
ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 Tokyo Paralympic 4th Long Jump
2018 European T64 Bronze Long Jump
2017 World Champion T44 Long Jump
2016 Paralympic Silver Medallist T44 Long jump
2014 T44 European Long Jump Champion
2012 Paralympic Silver Medallist T44 Long Jump
2011 World Bronze Medallist T44/46 Long Jump
2011 World Bronze Medallist T44 200m
2008 Paralympic Bronze Medallist T44 200m
2006 World Championship 6th Long Jump
The Journey
Stef’s focus shifted from her sports to her studies, and she graduated as valedictorian earning a full academic scholarship to Queen’s University in Canada to study biochemistry. While at Queen’s, Stef joined the university athletics team just to see how fast she could still run. Upon graduation, Stef put her plans of medical school on hold and decided to give her childhood dream of being a professional athlete one last chance!
After a glittering 18 year Paralympic career, Stef announced her retirement from elite sport in June 2022. Stef now works as a motivational speaker, broadcaster, and executive coach and is always up for a new adventure!
Videos
Stef Reid makes her screen acting debut in the short film “The Energy Within”. Director Samuel De Ceccatty describes the film as “an inspirational film about why disability isn’t inspirational.”
Madonna meets the Headbanger... Watch Stef Reid and Andy Buchanan's stylish and stunt-filled skate now!
Having spent half her life as an able-bodied person and half her life with a disability, Stef has a unique perspective when it comes to imagining a world that’s truly inclusive.
Stef Reid’s Gold Medal winning jump at the London 2017 ParaAthletics World Championships
Rapid Fire With Stef