Interview with Stef Reid
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Interview with Stef Reid
Stef Reid, Main achievements: bronze medal in 200 metres T44 at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games; bronze in the 2010 Paralympic World Cup; world record holder for long jump (F44 category); two bronze medals at IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011 |
BP is supporting six British athletes, and many other international sportsmen and women, as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sprinter and long jumper Stef Reid remembers her first experience of winning - at a school sports day, aged six. Born in New Zealand to British parents, she was brought up in Canada, where, one summer, a horrific boating accident resulted in the loss of her lower right leg. |
This seemed to put an end to her dreams of a sports career. However, one day in college, she asked to train with the track and field team, on her prosthetic leg. Her sports career was reborn and by 2008, Stef was representing Canada in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Now, she wears a GB vest and splits her time between London and Texas, US, where her husband works. Stef has a degree in biochemistry and has just completed a Master's in nutrition studies.
On the frustrations of her 2011 season…
My coach and I were committed to trying new things last year, including different training regimes, nutrition and new technology with the prosthesis. I had a great start and was smashing personal bests in practice, but picked up a stress fracture in my left foot – well, obviously my left one! It was hugely disappointing and put me out of running for eight weeks. When I started to train again, I then tore some cartilage in my knee. In hindsight, I’d actually say it was a productive year, as we learned about what works and what doesn't.I still managed to finish the season ranked number one in the world in my category for long jump, even though I competed only twice - and that was on my back-up artificial leg. Problems emerged when we changed things with my leg design; one good leg and one bad leg causes asymmetries in the body in terms of muscle development, so when things change, the imbalances flare up. But I need to correct those anyway, so I learned some important lessons. Injury prevention has to be my priority – I'm a workaholic and can train relentlessly, but if I can’t make the start line, it doesn’t matter how much training I've done. On the frustrations of her 2011 season.
On being a BP London 2012 athlete ambassador…
This role with BP was totally unexpected and really just a dream come true. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and believe in excellence, so it’s great to work with a company that has similar values to mine. Its support allows me to focus on training and has helped me to develop a whole new set of skills through the activities I’m involved in. I was asked to share some nutritional advice with staff, which appeared in restaurants and also in a short video. I enjoyed that so much as it’s exactly what I want to do in life, when I’m away from the track.On adjusting to new circumstances after a freak accident…
The aftermath of the accident was very difficult for me; I remember lying in the hospital bed thinking, “I don’t even know who I am if I can’t compete in sport anymore.” It was absolutely devastating and in the first week, I didn’t care about anything or anyone. A nurse changed my perspective seven days after the accident - I had refused to eat anything and she slammed a tray of food down and told me enough was enough. She said a younger girl downstairs had lost both legs and could still smile.As I’m very competitive, I thought to myself, “I cannot believe a 10-year-old is coping better than me.” Although I’d lost a foot, it was at that point I decided to be the best walker on an artificial leg ever. I had a new goal. A couple of days later, I went to find the other girl, and discovered that she didn’t exist. The nurse had lied, but it didn’t matter as she’d reminded me of the drive and determination I’d always had. Things were not perfect after that; it was a really long process, but I learned to give it time, until one day I woke up and the fact that I’m an amputee was no longer the first thought on my mind.
On switching nations to compete for Great Britain…
As I’m very competitive, I thought to myself, “I cannot believe a 10-year-old is coping better than me.” Although I’d lost a foot, it was at that point I decided to be the best walker on an artificial leg ever. I had a new goal. A couple of days later, I went to find the other girl, and discovered that she didn’t exist. The nurse had lied, but it didn’t matter as she’d reminded me of the drive and determination I’d always had. Things were not perfect after that; it was a really long process, but I learned to give it time, until one day I woke up and the fact that I’m an amputee was no longer the first thought on my mind.This role with BP was totally unexpected and really just a dream come true. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and believe in excellence, so it’s great to work with a company that has similar values to mine. Its support allows me to focus on training and has helped me to develop a whole new set of skills through the activities I’m involved in. I was asked to share some nutritional advice with staff, which appeared in restaurants and also in a short video. I enjoyed that so much as it’s exactly what I want to do in life, when I’m away from the track.
BP and London 2012
BP is proud to be the Official Oil and Gas Partner for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
BP and London 2012
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