A British Paralympic athlete who criticized Nike after she failed to buy a single shoe instead of a pair, despite the sportswear giant using amputee mannequins in stores, revealed the brand is willing to discuss the topic further after his story went viral.
Athlete Stef Reid, 39, who lost her right foot in a boating accident at the age of 16 and was appointed MBE in 2018 for her services to Paralympic sport, contacted Nike after friends told her They will talk about the mannequins.
He contacted the company with “the obvious question,” asking if he could buy shoes on their own, but in response, they only offered him a 10 percent discount, which increased to 15 percent on a pair of sneakers.
In response, Stef took to TikTok to share the story, garnering some 3.4 million views, as well as several media outlets reporting on the story after she revealed the exchange she had with Nike and her response to her request. to buy one. shoe.
Now, appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Stef revealed that since her story went viral, Nike has offered to discuss the situation further.
Athlete Stef Reid, who lost her right foot in a boating accident, contacted Nike after it used mannequins with running blades to advertise its shoes, but it does not sell individual shoes.
Nike mannequins, including one with a running paddle. The mannequin inspired Stef to make her original TikTok video
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 photos of mannequins in Nike stores with running shoes and I thought it was amazing! But then I asked Nike the obvious question.
“The answer was no, they offered me a 10 per cent discount and I said that was very kind, but next time I go running I’ll only have one foot, so it’s not really a solution.”
‘They increased it to 15 per cent, which I refused and then they promised to take the matter to their superiors. It’s been nine days and I still haven’t heard from Nike.
He continued: ‘However, I discovered that other sports brands also use Blade Runners to sell their shoes. So I asked them if they sold shoes as singles. Again the answer was no.
“I love when companies use amputated mannequins, but if you’re going to use the image you have to support it in the way you do business.”
Speaking to GMB hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls today, Stef retold her story and then revealed that her post going viral meant Nike was prepared to speak more about the situation, which affects numerous people who only need one shoe instead of a whole pair. .
He revealed that the specialist running shoes he uses cost £250 a pair and, due to the distance he runs annually, he buys four pairs a year, spending a whopping £1,000, despite only needing £500 worth of sneakers .
The Paralympic track and field athlete, 39, who lost her right foot in a boating accident at the age of 16 and was appointed MBE in 2018 for her services to Paralympic sport, took to TikTok to share a recent exchange she had with the company.
In the clip, which has racked up more than 3.4 million views, the world long jump champion said: “If you use the image, you must support it in the way you do business.”
Stef explained: “It seems silly to me to throw away half a product, and it’s not like I expect every shoe company in the world to accommodate me.”
“It’s just that they have this image and I thought surely this is the company that understands exactly why they are literally advertising the fact that they sell shoes specifically for Paralympic athletes who run with a blade and don’t need just one shoe.”
However, he revealed, following his TikTok ‘they have sent [her] email and said they would like to discuss it further.
Stef said: “So I said, ‘of course,’ and we’ll have to see where it goes from there.”
When Susanna Reid said the viral video was “enough to get [Nike] Stef said that “people really care about their brands.”
He continued: “They are connected to them and want to see that the image matches reality.”
And he added that there are many people who need a more specialized service when buying footwear.
Stef explained: “The other interesting thing is that a lot of people responded [to me] 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 research and 50 to 60 percent of adults have mismatched feet.
Stef competed in the women’s long jump T62 final during the 2020 Paralympic Games at the Tokyo National Stadium in 2020.
Great Britain’s Stef competing in the Women’s 100m – T44 Heats on Day 3 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium
“Again, I think, while yes, this is a very specific situation, I think diverse and inclusive thinking can lead to better outcomes for everyone.
‘So what would happen if the entire footwear industry revolutionized the way we make 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 Mirrorsaid: “Although I couldn’t see my injuries underwater, the propeller had caught my right leg, buttocks and lower back. I didn’t know it, but it had almost cut me in half.
‘What I did know was that there was too much blood. I didn’t feel anything in my right foot and I thought I was going to die.’
In 2022, he shed light on his prosthetic skating leg and praised the “amazing” technology when speaking to MailOnline.
She even previously swapped her running shoes for ice skates when she joined 12 celebrities taking part in the fourteenth series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice (pictured: Stef and Andy Buchanan’s Dancing On Ice TV show in 2022)
Opening up, he said: ‘It’s been amazing. I am very fortunate to have had access and funds throughout my life…prosthetic technology is amazing.
‘I mean, I woke up every day and always felt like I could do whatever 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 that’s not the scenario for everyone around the world. For that I feel very grateful.”
Stef has had an extremely 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 he began representing Great Britain and at the 2012 Games he won three silver medals in the sprint and middle distance events.
She even previously swapped her running shoes for ice skates when she joined 12 celebrities taking part in the 14th series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.