Jessica Long

Russian-born Jessica Long has made her name around the world representing the United States of America. A hugely successful Paralympic swimmer, her medal cabinet includes an incredible 51 gold medals and 30 silver and gold from successive Paralympic Games and short- and long-course World Swimming Championships. She has held many world records, and at the time of writing, is the S8 world record holder in the 200-metre freestyle, 800-metre freestyle, 1500-metre freestyle, 100-metre freestyle (short course), 200-metre freestyle (SC), and 400-metre freestyle (SC). Unsurprisingly, she has also won many awards, including ESPN’s Best Female Swimmer with a Disability Award (three times) and USA Swimming’s Disability Swimmer of the Year (twice). In 2012, the US Olympic Committee named her their Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year.

Long was born Tatiana Olegovna Kirillova in Russia in February 1992. Her teenage parents placed her in foster care, and she was adopted by her American parents when she was 13 months old. She was born with a congenital disorder that meant her lower legs were amputated when she was 18 months old. However, she learned to walk with prostheses and enjoyed a thoroughly active childhood, taking up everything from cheerleading to rock climbing to swimming.

At just 12 years old, Long made her Paralympic debut and won three gold medals. She has now competed in an amazing five Paralympics, winning at least one gold medal at each. Now in her thirties, and having been at the top of her game for more than half of her life, Long is, without doubt, one of the most inspirational Paralympians of the century.