Stef Reid retires from athletics

Three-time Paralympic medallist Stef Reid has announced her retirement from sport after a remarkable Para athletics career spanning four Paralympic Games.

“It’s been a blast!!!” the 37-year-old posted on social media. “I have loved every moment of my career! I feel so lucky not only to have lived my childhood dream of being an athlete, but to have had the full roller coaster of experiences: from medals and world records to struggles and failure.”

Born in New Zealand to British parents, Reid grew up in Toronto and competed at her first Paralympic Games at Beijing 2008 for Canada, winning bronze in the 200m T44. Her right leg had been amputated below the knee after a boating accident in her teens.

Reid switched allegiance to Great Britain ahead of London 2012 and went on to win silver in the long jump T44 at those Games, a feat she repeated at Rio 2016. At Tokyo 2020 Reid just missed out on adding to her medal collection, finishing in fourth place. Reid also broke the long jump T44 world record on multiple occasions and won world gold at the London 2017 World Para Athletics World Championships.

Off the track, Reid was a passionate member of the British Paralympic Association’s Athletes’ Commission, completing two four-year terms in 2020, while she also made a name for herself in the public eye, from modelling to TED Talks and broadcasting. She reached the semi-finals of ‘Celebrity Masterchef’ in 2018 and took part in this year’s ‘Dancing on Ice’ on ITV. She was named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list.

“I am most thankful to the people who have supported me over the past 20 years. From relearning how to walk to making the ‘crazy’ decision in 2008 to pursue Para athletics instead of medical school – and this at a time when few people knew Para sport existed!” she added.

“I will never leave sport – I love it too much! I’m still skating and I’m having some fun with triathlon. I’m also really excited to grow my career as a broadcaster, motivational speaker, and executive coach. I’m up for anything and I’m excited to see how life evolves!”

Paralympics GB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “I am immensely proud of all that Stef has achieved over the years – both on and off the field of play. She truly is a phenomenal role model for so many.

“Stef’s input as a member of the British Paralympic Association’s Athletes’ Commission was considerable, while her talent on the track – winning three Paralympic medals as well as world gold – speaks for itself. I look forward to following her new career path and wish Stef the very best in all that she does.”