Paris 23: Debutant Amaris Sofia Vazquez inspired by idol Fleur Jong

Eighteen-year-old long jumper Amaris Sofia Vazquez was nervous to compete against her idols in her Worlds debut at the Paris 23 Para Athletics World Championships. But as she was preparing to take to the field in the women's long jump T64, Paralympic champion Fleur Jong came to talk to her.  

The Dutch superstar said, “I’m also nervous so it’s fine. And we’re going to try to have fun because you have to enjoy it.” 

And that is exactly what the young Puerto Rican athlete did. 

“I think she saw I was a little nervous and a little shy. She loosened me up and told me that I was going to do a good job. It really helped me out,” Vazquez said. 

“I’ve followed many of the people here on Instagram for so many years now and being able to compete with them, it’s just been incredible and amazing. It’s a dream come true.” 

‘Surreal’ and ‘crazy’ first time 

Competing on the third day of the World Championships in Paris, Vazquez, a left-leg amputee, set a personal best, finishing seventh in the 10-athlete field.  

The teenager watched as Jong leaped 6.28m to claim the world title with a championship record. The 27-year-old added her first world title to her reigning Paralympic and European crowns. 

Vazquez, who lives in Missouri, USA, has looked up to Jong for several years since the Dutch athlete started to break records and win medals at international competitions.  

“I Googled her a little bit and I was like, ‘Wow, she seems like a cool person’ and I watched some of her things,” she said. “I definitely started looking up to her when I realised what a good person she was.” 

“As soon as she followed me back on Instagram one day, I freaked out and showed my whole family. I love her. So being able to jump with her and meet her was absolutely incredible.” 

More than records and medals 

For Jong, being an inspiration for young athletes to take up Para sports means more to her than anything. 

“I think it’s my dream,” Jong said. 

“Of course I want to jump far and I want to break records and I want to get more titles. But if I’m an inspiration for young people, I think that’s the highest and the best achievement there is in Paralympic sports.” 

“Paralympic sport is so much more than elite sports. We have those these opportunities to inspire young children and inspire a minority in the world. 

“It’s the most amazing thing that I can do. It just fills my heart.” 

Finding a place 

Vazquez moved to the United States with her family when she was two years old. She had an active childhood, taking up sports when she was around eight years old. 

“My parents never let my disability affect me, which is something that I’m incredibly grateful for. My parents never pinpointed it, telling me that I can’t do something.” 

“I did taekwondo, I did gymnastics, I did swimming, I did track, I did everything. My parents said that ever since I got my prosthetic leg, I literally wanted to jump out of the crib, like I was walking around, running around as soon as possible.” 

But growing up with a disability was “kind of difficult” but she had Para sports and her family helped her. 

“Every kid with a disability goes through bullying and being made fun of. You get insecure sometimes,” Vazquez said. “But thanks to my family and sports, they really opened me up.  

“Because being part of the Para (sport) world, you get to see so many other people like you. It’s not every day that we’re walking around Missouri that you see an amputee next to you. 

“So being part of the Para sports world and seeing everybody and being part of a community really helps you grow up. It helps me tremendously to see that I’m not the only one.” 

Long journey ahead 

Last year Vazquez decided to focus on Para athletics and represent Puerto Rico, the country of her birth. And after making her World Championship debut, the teenage athlete has her eyes set on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

“It’s surreal that I made it here. Being only 18 and qualifying for the World Championships, and compete against all the other athletes, it’s insane,” the teenage athlete said. “I don’t think I’ve processed it yet.” 

Follow the action from Paris 23 via the Paralympics YouTube and Facebook, plus live results on the World Para Athletics website.