Jessica Long: 🇺🇲 🏊‍♀️ The Para Swimming Star Is Ready To Compete at Paris 2024

Published: Aug 24, 2024 Duration: 00:03:29 Category: Sports

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I'm Jessica Long, I'm a Paralympic swimmer for Team USA. I actually kind of got into swimming by accident. For me, it was a place that I didn't have to wear my heavy prosthetic legs, and I could leave them on the pool deck and jump in the water and just be like a normal kid. And then one day we found out about the Paralympics because one of the officials told us and just right away, I knew I loved it. And I'll never forget the first time I went to a Paralympic meet and I saw arms and legs and wheelchairs, and I think for me that was the first time that I felt like I was home. Before I found out about Paralympics, my favorite thing about being in the pool was just the freedom that it gave me. Well, I was 12 years old at my very first Paralympics in Athens, and it's so crazy when I look back because as a 12 year old, I didn't think I was 12. You know, I thought I was like 18 like I thought I was on top of the world, but I really was a baby. But I think the cutest thing is that I like the colour gold. For me to come away with three gold medals as a 12 year old was truly incredible. Never wore shorts, I hated showing off my legs and my parents said after my very first couple of Paralympic meets, I came back and I bought my very first pair of shorts. The biggest changes I've seen is just people knowing what the Paralympic Movement And I think for me, that's all I've ever wanted is for the Movement to grow. And I think for me that's truly what's keeping me going. I love to swim in Paris. I'd love to end my career in LA But it's really hard, right ? I've swam in five Paralympics. I've won any medal that I've ever wanted to, but I really, really get inspired when I see the next generation stepping up on the blocks. And I truly can't wait until I'm getting lost to my races, because I think that shows how the Paralympic movement is going forward. You know, it makes me really, really proud. Just when people come up and say that I'm their role model or they just, you know, call me the legend. Sometimes there's a lot of pressure to keep it going to win medals, right? But then there're also moments where I'm like, Jess, you've done everything you've ever wanted to. For me it really isn't about the medals, you know. And maybe I can say that because I've won some medals, but I just it took me a long time to learn where my identity lies where my identity lies and there was a time that I thought it was a failure if I got a bronze medal or a silver medal. Now I just with perspective and age, I'm obviously so thankful for what I've done. But I mean, any time I step behind the blocks, I want to win. That's my goal. But I also know that whatever happens, whatever the outcome is, that I have not failed and that I just do the best that I can. And if the best is the gold, awesome. But if it's not, it's just swimming at the end of the day. It's something I love to do. My hope for Paris, for me, honestly it's been one of the most challenging past couple of years, So I'm just really proud of myself to get there and to show up and to perform the best and to perform like Jessica Long and hopefully bring home a medal or two. Why you should watch me at the Paralympics? Because it's amazing. But no, it's going to shock you. It's going to impress you and you're going to want to come back for more because it truly is the most incredible event ever.

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