Jessica Long

Jessica Long is an American Paralympic swimmer, born on February 29, 1992, in Siberia, Russia. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest Paralympians of all time. Long began her professional career at the age of 12 at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, where she won three gold medals.

Long is known for her incredible speed, strength, and versatility in the pool. She has won numerous individual awards, including thirteen Paralympic gold medals, and holds multiple records, such as the most medals won by a U.S. Paralympian.

Off the pool, Long is also recognized for her philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Athens 2004 Paralympics

• Youth and Early Career: Long was born in Siberia and adopted by an American family. Despite having both lower legs amputated at 18 months old, she started swimming competitively at a young age. She made her Paralympic debut in Athens in 2004, winning three gold medals.

Beijing 2008 Paralympics

• Early Success: Long continued her success in Beijing in 2008, winning four gold medals, a silver, and a bronze.

London 2012 Paralympics

• Continued Dominance: At the London Paralympics in 2012, Long won another five gold medals, two silvers, and a bronze.

Rio 2016 Paralympics

• New Challenges: At the Rio Paralympics in 2016, Long added one gold, three silvers, and two bronzes to her medal collection.

Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

• Continuing Success: Long competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, adding another gold, three silvers, and a bronze to her collection.

U.S. Paralympic Team

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

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Long has won 13 gold, 9 silver, and 5 bronze medals at the Paralympic Games.
• World Championships: Long has won multiple gold medals at the IPC Swimming World Championships.
• Long is one of the most decorated U.S. Paralympians in history.

• Position: Long competes in a variety of swimming events, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
• Skills: Known for her incredible speed, strength, and versatility in the pool. Long is celebrated for her powerful strokes and endurance.

• Family: Long is married to Lucas Winters. She was adopted from Siberia by an American family.
• Philanthropy: Long is involved in various charitable activities and has used her platform to raise awareness for Paralympic sports and athletes with disabilities.

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

Most Medals in Paralympic History:

• Over 27 medals

Most Gold Medals in Paralympic History:

• 13 gold medals

World Records:

• Has set multiple world records in her career

Books

• Long, J. and Long, H. (2018) Unsinkable: From Russian Orphan to Paralympic Swimming World Champion. Nashville: W Publishing Group.

Websites

• International Paralympic Committee: Information about Jessica Long’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• U.S. Paralympics: 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/32408659/paralympic-swimmer-jessica-long-career-numbers
• The Guardian: Jessica Long’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/24/jessica-long-paralympics-swimming-tokyo-2020

Interviews and Documentaries

• Long Way Home: The Jessica Long Story (2014): Directed by ESPN. This documentary provides a detailed look at Long’s life and career, featuring interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues.
• ESPN Interviews: Various interviews and features on Jessica Long, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.espn.com