Long grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, but is originally from Siberia...When she was only 13 months old, she was adopted from a Russian orphanage...Born with fibular hemimelia, she didn’t have fibulas, ankles, heels and most of the other bones in her feet...At 18 months old, her legs were amputated below the knees so she could be fitted for prosthetic legs and learn how to walk...She has been involved in many sports including gymnastics, basketball, cheerleading, ice skating, biking, running, and rock climbing...She learned how to swim in her grandparents’ pool where she would spend hours pretending she was a mermaid...Daughter of Steve & Beth Long...Has five siblings, Amanda, Steven, Joshua, Hannah, and Grace...Joined first competitive swim team at 10 years old...First international competition was the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games...At 12 years old, was the youngest athlete on the U.S. Paralympic Swim Team in Athens...Winner of 77th AAU James E. Sullivan Award...Three-time (2007, 2012, 2013) recipient of the ESPN Best Female Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award...Named to Sports Illustrated’s “The World’s Best Female Athletes"...Twice (2006, 2011) named Disabled Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World magazine...Commented for NBC at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games...Is a leap year baby...Interests include Pilates, reading, interior design, finding new coffee shops and spending time with family.
Bronze – 2019 (400-meter freestyle); 2013 (34 pt. 4x100-meter freestyle)
I choose to look at my life in a positive way. If I wasn’t missing my legs, I may not have found swimming.
MyStory
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Sports & Brand Personality
Jessica is proud to work with amazing brands across a wide variety of industries and serves as a voice for companies in their marketing campaigns on some of the biggest stages in the world, including at the Paralympic Games.
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Advocate
Jessica uses her platform to raise awareness to causes close to her heart and where she can make the most impact. Jessica understands her success as an athlete is directly related to support of her adoptive family.
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NEXT: Jessica Long Shows Up
Speaker
Jessica has learned to grow and thrive as a champion and person in and outside of the pool, and her message of hope resonates with all walks of life. Jessica regularly provides inspiration, unique perspectives and insights to corporate leaders.
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Content categorized by:Video
Jessica Long Shows Up
Jessica Long finishes strong in the 100m breaststroke at #ParaTrials21.