Jessica Long

Jessica Long is an American paralympic swimmer, born on February 29, 1992, in Siberia, Russia. She is often regarded as one of the most accomplished Paralympians. Long began her professional career as a swimmer at a young age and has since then accumulated multiple titles and records, including 23 Paralympic gold medals.

Long is known not only for her exceptional swimming prowess but also for her resilience, determination, and positive influence. She has received numerous awards and holds several records in the Paralympic swimming world.

Beyond her athletic career, Long is recognized for her inspiring life story, including her early life in an orphanage in Russia, adoption by an American family, and her journey to become a world-class athlete despite her disability.

Early Life and Career

• Long was born with fibular hemimelia, which led to the amputation of her lower legs at 18 months old. Despite her physical challenges, she began swimming competitively at a young age and quickly rose to prominence.

Paralympic Career

• Long made her Paralympic debut at the age of 12 in the 2004 Athens Games, winning three gold medals. Since then, she has competed in every subsequent Paralympic Games, winning a total of 23 gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals.

United States Paralympic Team

• Debut: Made her debut for the U.S. Paralympic team in 2004.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Winner of 23 gold medals across five Paralympic Games.
• Long is one of the most decorated Paralympians in U.S. history.

• Event: Primarily competes in freestyle, butterfly, and individual medley events.
• Skills: Known for her remarkable speed, strength, and technique in the water. Long is celebrated for her resilience, determination, and positive influence.

• Family: Long was adopted by an American family from a Russian orphanage. She has six siblings, including a brother who is also adopted from Russia.
• Influence: Long is a motivational speaker and has shared her inspiring life story with numerous audiences. Her autobiography, 'Unsinkable', was published in 2018.

• Jessica Long is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her resilience, determination, and positive influence. Her impact on Paralympic sports and her status as an icon extend beyond the pool, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

Most Gold Medals in Paralympic Swimming:

• 23 gold medals

Most Medals in International Competitions:

• Over 50 medals

Records in Paralympic Swimming:

• Long holds several world records in her classification.

World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability:

• Awarded by Laureus in 2007

Books

• Long, J. (2018) Unsinkable: From Russian Orphan to Paralympic Swimming World Champion. New York: HarperCollins.

Websites

• Paralympic.org: Information about Jessica Long’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• Team USA: Details about Long’s career with the U.S. Paralympic team. Available at: https://www.teamusa.org

Articles

• ESPN: Jessica Long: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/29538447/paralympic-champion-jessica-long-gets-back-pool
• The New York Times: Jessica Long’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/24/sports/olympics/jessica-long-paralympics-swimming.html

Documentaries

• Long Way Home: The Jessica Long Story (2013): Directed by ESPN Films. This documentary provides a detailed look at Long’s life and career.