Jessica Long
A Paralympic swimming powerhouse who, after being adopted from a Russian orphanage, became the second-most decorated U.S. Paralympian of all time.
Born 1992 (age 34)·Russian-American Paralympic swimmer·Birthday: February 29·Millennials
Biography
Jessica Long's story begins in Siberia, where she was born with a condition that led to the amputation of both legs below the knee as a toddler. Adopted by an American family from Baltimore, she found freedom and purpose in the water. By age 12, she was competing at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, winning three gold medals and announcing herself to the world. What followed is one of the most dominant careers in adaptive sports. Long combines a powerful upper body with a technically flawless stroke, specializing in butterfly and individual medley events. She has competed in six consecutive Paralympic Games, a staggering span of athletic longevity. Beyond the medals, which include over a dozen golds, she has become a visible ambassador for Paralympic sport, appearing on magazine covers and in documentaries, reshaping perceptions of disability with every race she wins.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jessica was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jessica Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Jessica's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Has won 29 Paralympic medals (16 gold, 8 silver, 5 bronze) across six Games from 2004 to 2022.
- Holds multiple world records in the S8, SB7, and SM8 classification events.
- Was named the USOC Paralympic SportsWoman of the Year in 2012 and 2014.
- Has collected over 50 medals from World Para Swimming Championships.
Did You Know?
She received the ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability a record four times.
Her life story was featured in a Super Bowl commercial for Toyota in 2018.
She is a published author, having written a children's book titled 'The Sting of the Ray.'
She learned to swim at her local YMCA in Baltimore.
“My disability is my opportunity. It's the reason I swim. It's the reason I have this amazing life.”
