Myths About Disability Debunked with US Para Track and Field
US Para Track and Field athletes break down the biggest myths they hear about being Paralympic Athletes
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Athlete Bio#
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Height
6'1"
Age
40
Hometown
Raleigh, NC
Education
East Carolina University
Classification: T11/F11
Gillette’s life has been guided by one simple phrase, “there’s no need for sight when you have vision"...In 1992, eight-year-old Gillette was getting ready for bed when he noticed blurriness...Doctors discovered retina detachments in both eyes, leading to numerous hospital visits and 10 surgeries before he lost his sight completely...His mother, Verdina, encouraged him to maintain his independence, keeping him in public schools and sports...A mandatory fitness test and an adapted recreation specialist, Brian Whitmer, at Athens Drive introduced Gillette to the event that he would ultimately win three Paralympic medals for...Whitmore would clap to give Gillette the signal to run to help keep him in a straight line, allowing him to count his strides...With a natural talent for jumping, he continued to hone his skills as a co-captain on his high school track & field team and after college, earning him his first trip at 19 years old to Athens where he took home a silver medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games...Son of Rickey and Verdina Gillette-Simms...Has one younger sister, Uvonne...Has worked with sighted guide Wes Williams since 2007...Only totally blind athlete in the world to eclipse the 22-foot barrier in the long jump...Currently trains at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Center in California...Hobbies include singing, playing the piano, writing, reading, traveling, and enjoying other sports...Serves as an athlete mentor for Classroom Champions...Outside of being an athlete, he is a motivational speaker and singer/songwriter...Favorite professional sports team is the NFL’s Carolina Panthers...His mother, Verdina, has been legally blind since she was 18 because of glaucoma...Has sang the national anthem at major sporting events, including at a San Diego Padres baseball game
Paralympic Experience
- Five-time Paralympian (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020); Five-time Paralympic medalist (5 silver)
- Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, silver (long jump)
- Paralympic Games Rio 2016, silver (long jump)
- Paralympic Games London 2012, silver (long jump), 4th (triple jump)
- Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, silver (long jump), 5th (triple jump), 13th (200-meter), 14th (100-meter)
- Paralympic Games Athens 2004, silver (long jump), 6th (4x100-meter relay)
World Championships Experience
- Most recent: 2023 – 7th (Long Jump T11 - Men)
- Years of participation: Long Jump T11 - Men 2006, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023; 100m T11 - Men 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017; 4 x 100m Relay T11-13 - Men 2006, 2013, 2017; Triple Jump T11 - Men 2011, 2013; 200m T11 - Men 2011; 4 x 400m Relay T11-13 - Men 2006
- Medals: 9 (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze)
- Gold – 2019 (Long Jump T11 - Men); 2017 (Long Jump T11 - Men); 2015 (Long Jump T11 - Men); 2013 (Long Jump T11 - Men)
- Silver – 2013 (4 x 100m Relay T11-13 - Men, Triple Jump T11 - Men); 2006 (Long Jump T11 - Men)
- Bronze – 2011 (200m T11 - Men, Triple Jump T11 - Men)
Paralympic Experience
- 5-time Paralympian; 5-time Paralympic medalist (5 silver)
- Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, silver (Long Jump T11 - Men)
- Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, silver (Long Jump T11 - Men), 11th (100m T11 - Men)
- Paralympic Games London 2012, (4 x 100m Relay T11-13 - Men), silver (Long Jump T11 - Men), 4th (Triple Jump T11 - Men), 13th (100m T11 - Men), 16th (200m T11 - Men)
- Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, (4 x 100m Relay T11-13 - Men), silver (Long Jump T11 - Men), 5th (Triple Jump T11 - Men), 13th (200m T11 - Men), 14th (100m T11 - Men)
- Paralympic Games Athens 2004, silver (Long Jump T11 - Men), 6th (4 x 100m Relay T11-13 - Men)
Lex Gillette: My Story
Lex Gillette Has Vision - For Paris and Beyond
There's no need for sight when you have vision.
MORE ABOUT LEX#
Para Track & Field Lex Gillette interview | U.S. Paralympic Team Trials 2021
Lex Gillette does an interview at U.S. Paralympic Team Trials following the long jump F11.
Lex Gillette Takes Off in the Long Jump T11 | Para Track & Field | London 2012
Lex Gillette competes in the men's long jump T11 competition during the Paralympic Games London 2012. Video supplied ...
Lex Gillette Takes Silver in Men's Long Jump T11 | Para Track & Field | Rio 2016
Lex Gillette competes and wins the silver medal in the men's long jump T11 event during the Paralympic Games Rio 2016...
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