Jessica Long was named the 2011-12 Paralympic Sports Woman of the Year by the United States Olympic Committee, after winning eight medals, made up of five gold, two silver and one bronze, at London 2012.
Aged 12, making her the youngest member of the US Paralympics team, she made her international debut at the Athens 2004 Games and won three gold medals.
In 2006, the S8 swimmer broke 18 world records, including five at the 2006 IPC World Swimming Championships, where she also picked up nine gold medals. In the same year she was named U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympian of the Year and also Disabled Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine.
After winning six titles at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, Long will be looking to add to her medal collection in 2013.
Despite her relatively young age, she is one of the world’s most decorated swimmers with 17 Paralympic medals, including 12 gold, and 17 World medals consisting of 15 gold.
