With powerful upper body strength and an infallible technique, Jessica Long just might win those seven gold medals she’s been dreaming about. This sixteen-year-old, three-time Paralympic Gold medalist returns to Paralympic competition in Beijing.
By Megan Youngblood
Published: September 2, 2008
Picture this scenario. You’re twelve years old. You’re at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. You’re swimming furiously in fourth place as you make the turn for home in the 100-meter freestyle. You gain, gain, keep gaining on your opponents in the lanes next to you, and with 20 meters left, you dig deep into the water, edge closer and closer to the wall, reach out, touch the wall, and pull your head out of the water to meet the eyes of your biggest rival and the scoreboard. You see the numbers, flashing across the scoreboard, scream “GOLD” and a new Paralympic record. And imagine one small detail: your legs are amputated at the knee.
Three-time Paralympic Gold medalist
Jessica Long has lived this scene. Long was born without most of the major bones found in the lower legs and feet. At 18 months old, Long underwent a double amputation below both of her knees. As the youngest swimmer on the U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team, competing with a disability isn’t even an obstacle for her anymore. “I have a disability,” Long clearly states. “It doesn’t stop me, and I can do whatever I want.”
During the 2004 Paralympic Games, Long continued on to set another Paralympic record and left Athens with three gold medals. Now, at 15, she is looking to the East to set even greater goals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
“I am very excited for Beijing because I know I’m going to come home with seven golds—because that’s what I visualize. That’s what I’m going for,” Long said. “It’s going to be challenging because I also know that they’re going to be getting faster. And, I’m going to be getting faster. It should be a really good meet.”
Why is winning seven Paralympic gold medals so important to this young phenom? Her role model is Erin Popovich—a teammate and a competitor in the breaststroke. “She’s an amazing athlete, a great friend of mine, and I really look up to her,” Long said. “She went to the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece, and she brought home seven gold medals. And in Beijing, I would like to bring home seven gold medals. Just to know the fact that she did it, gives me inspiration to go and do it. And I will.”
Just swimming isn’t enough for Long. She also plays basketball, skis, runs, bikes and coaches cheerleading. Want to know how she stays at the top of her game? She trains eight times a week. Right, you added correctly—eight times out of the seven days a week. “When I go home (away from team practice), I’m constantly riding my bike for exercise and constantly thinking of things to do just to get exercise,” she said.
As a 14-world record holder, her greatest advice for you young athletes is, “Just do it.”
“Don’t give up, and keep trying,” Long said. “Even if you have a disability, you can still do it. Don’t worry about what people think, and try your best.”
Follow Long’s progress at the 2008 Paralympic Games being held September 6 - 17, 2008 in Beijing