Already one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in history, Jessica Long plans to add further silverware to her collection before retiring after LA 2028.
Jessica made her Paralympic debut at Athens 2004 where she won three gold medals, including the first of three straight titles in the 100m freestyle S8 and 400m freestyle S8. With 29 medals – 16 of them gold – across five Games, Jessica is the second most-decorated American Paralympian of all-time, eclipsed only by fellow swimmer Trischa Zorn and her 55-strong haul.
Add 37 world titles in the long and short-course pools into the mix and Jessica’s is a career of astonishing longevity at the pinnacle of her sport.
Now she has Paris 2024 in her immediate sights before the finale in Los Angeles, saying: “I started when I was 12, and I am hoping to end my career at LA 2028.
“For me, I recognise that my race isn’t done yet, and I want to finish my race strong.”
Her story starts in Siberia, Russia, where she was born with congenital defects in her legs. She was adopted at 13-months-old, along with a boy called Joshua, by American couple Beth and Steve Long and started a new life in Baltimore, Maryland.
Jessica’s legs were amputated at 18-months-old, which required many surgeries throughout her childhood, and it was in the pool that not only did she excel but where she felt free as she spent hours pretending she was a mermaid.
She made her Paralympic debut aged 12 after just two years of competitive swimming and her career continued on an upward trajectory year on year.
However, by the time she reached Rio 2016, Jessica was physically and mentally exhausted and she developed an eating disorder. She reset and made it her mission to harness her achievements and experiences to inspire others.
As well as being an elite athlete forever driving forward, Jessica is an author, inspirational speaker and an advocate for disability awareness and the benefits of adoption.
