Jessica Long

Jessica Long made her international debut at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, where she became the youngest member of the U.S. Paralympic Team and earned three gold medals. Her early career continued to soar, culminating in 2006 when she broke an impressive 18 world records and secured nine gold medals at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa. That same year, Long made history as the first Paralympic athlete to receive the prestigious AAU’s James E.

Sullivan Award. She was also recognized as the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Paralympian of the Year and Swimming World Magazine’s Disabled Swimmer of the Year for her exceptional performance. Long’s illustrious career has seen her compete in six Paralympic Games, amassing an extraordinary total of 31 medals, including 18 golds.

Beyond the Paralympics, she has collected over 50 world championship medals, solidifying her status as one of the most decorated athletes in her sport. Her consistent excellence has been repeatedly recognized with numerous accolades, including multiple ESPN Best Female Athlete with a Disability ESPY Awards in 2007, 2012, and 2013. Further cementing her impact, she was honored with the Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC Disabled Athlete Award in 2008, named U.S. Paralympic SportsWoman of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee in 2012, and recognized as Para-Swimming Female Athlete of the Year by SwimSwam in 2014.

As a leading figure in Paralympic sport, Jessica Long continues to inspire and achieve. She has consistently been recognized for her athletic prowess, including being named Swimming World Magazine’s Disabled Swimmer of the Year in both 2006 and 2011. Her unparalleled collection of medals and broken records across various swimming disciplines underscore her position as a world-renowned athlete and advocate, embodying resilience and sporting excellence on a global stage.