Paralympian Stef Reid, who called out Nike for refusing to sell her one shoe despite using amputee mannequins in store, reveals the sportswear giant’s response to her viral TikTok

A British Paralympian who hit out at Nike after she was unable to buy a single trainer instead of a pair despite the sportswear giant using amputee mannequins in stores has revealed the brand is willing to discuss the issue further, after her story went viral.

Athlete Stef Reid, 39, who lost her right foot in a sailing accident aged 16 and was made an MBE in 2018 for services to Paralympic sport, got in touch with Nike after friends told her about the mannequins.

She contacted the company with ‘the obvious question’ and asked if she could buy solo shoes – but in response it only offered her a 10 per cent discount, rising to 15 per cent on a pair of trainers.

In response, Stef took to TikTok to share the story, garnering around 3.4 million views, as well as having several news outlets covering the story after she revealed the exchange she’d had with Nike and its response to her request to buy a shoe .

Now, appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Stef revealed that since her story went viral, Nike has offered to discuss the situation further.

In her TikTok video, Stef started the clip by saying: ‘Dear Nike, is it possible to buy only one shoe because I only have one foot?

‘Two friends recently sent me pictures of mannequins in Nike stores wearing fliers and I thought it was amazing! But then I asked Nike the obvious question.

‘The answer was no, they offered a 10 per cent discount which I said was very kind, but next time I run I still only have one foot so it’s not really a solution.

‘They raised it to 15 per cent, which I rejected, and they then promised to take the issue to their higher ups. It’s been nine days and I still haven’t heard from Nike.

She continued: ‘But I discovered that other sports brands are also using blade runners to sell their shoes. So I asked them if they sold shoes as singles. Again the answer was no.

‘Now, I love that companies use amputee mannequins, but if you’re going to use the image, you have to back it up in the way you do business.’

Speaking to GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls today, Stef told her story again – then revealed that her post going viral meant Nike was prepared to speak out further about the situation, which affects numerous people who only need for one shoe instead of a whole pair. .

She revealed that the specialist running shoes she uses cost £250 a pair. pair, and because of the distance she runs annually, she buys four pairs a year and spends a whopping £1,000 – despite only needing £500 of the trainers.

Stef explained: ‘It just feels silly to me to throw away half a product and it’s not like I expect every shoe company in the world to accept me.

“It’s just that they have this image, and I thought this is the company that understands exactly because they literally advertise that they sell shoes specifically for Paralympians who run with a blade and don’t have need a shoe.”

However, she revealed after her TikTok ‘they’ve emailed (her) and said they’d like to discuss it more’.

Stef said: “And then I said, ‘of course’ and we’ll see where it goes from there.

When Susanna Reid said the viral video was ‘enough to make (Nike) think, Stef said ‘people really care about their brands’.

She continued: ‘They are connected to them and they want to see the image match the reality.’

And she added that there are many people who need a more specialized service when it comes to buying footwear.

Stef explained: ‘The other interesting thing is that a lot of people responded (to me) to say “I don’t have a disability. I’m an adult whose feet don’t match”.

‘And apparently it’s actually quite common. Okay, I’m not a podiatrist. But I did a quick Google search and 50 to 60 percent of adults have mismatched feet.

“Then again, I just think that even though this is a very specific situation, I think that diverse and inclusive thinking can actually lead to a better outcome for everyone.

‘So what would happen if the entire shoe industry revolutionized the way we made shoes?’

Stef lost her right foot in a boating accident at the age of 16 – and her life was saved by a surgeon in Toronto who amputated her right leg below the knee.

The Team GB athlete previously recalled the moment it happened while speaking to The mirror, she said: ‘Although I couldn’t see my injuries underwater, the propeller had caught me above my right leg, my glutes and lower back. I didn’t know it, but it had almost cut me in half.

“What I knew was that there was far too much blood. I had no feeling in my right foot and I thought I was going to die’.

In 2022, she shed light on her prosthetic leg and praised the ‘fantastic’ technology when she spoke to MailOnline.

She opened up and said: ‘It’s been amazing. I’m so lucky that all my life I’ve had the access and means… prosthetic technology is amazing.

‘I mean, I’ve woken up every day and always felt like I could do anything I wanted because I have the legs to do it. I have a walking leg, a running leg, a high heel leg, I have a skating leg. I know this is not everyone’s scenario around the world. I feel really grateful for that.’

Stef has had a very successful career as an athlete. She competed for Canada at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, winning a bronze medal in the women’s 200 metres.

In 2010 she began representing Great Britain and at the 2012 Games she won three silver medals in the sprint and middle distance events.

She even previously swapped her running shoes for some skates as she joined 12 celebs taking part in the fourteenth series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.