Jessica Lengthy is golden — once more!
The 32-year-old gained gold within the 400-meter freestyle S8 on the Paralympic Video games on Wednesday, Sept. 4, a full 20 years after she gained gold in the identical occasion again in 2004 at age 12.
“I simply needed to win a medal. I believe it’s so humorous as a result of in Tokyo after Morgan Stickney beat me, I mentioned was too outdated to ever do that occasion once more, and right here I’m successful gold,” Lengthy instructed NBC after the race. “… I can not imagine I gained.”
“Proper by my mattress, I’ve an image of my husband, and an image of little Jess successful a gold medal,” she continued. “I gained this gold once I was 12, and I simply keep in mind saying it’s now or by no means, and simply tried my hardest.”
Staff USA celebrated Lengthy’s unbelievable achievement on Instagram.
“Many years of dominance 🐐@jessicatatianalong wins Paralympic gold within the 400m Freestyle S8, the identical occasion she gained gold in at Athens 2004. #ParisParalympics,” Staff USA wrote of their caption, alongside two photographs of Lengthy successful in 2024 and 2004.
Sharing the identical snap on her Instagram, Lengthy wrote, “This 😭♥️,” earlier than reposting her family members’ posts in regards to the victory on her Instagram Tales.
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“That’s the coolest technique to present what a real GOAT you might be in swimming. Simply in awe of you❤️🙌❤️,” one individual commented underneath her submit, whereas fellow paralympian Alice Tai added, “absolutely the BEST 🐐🔥.”
In accordance with the Olympics web site, Lengthy swam to her seventeenth gold medal in a time of 4:48.74 on Wednesday.
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Nice Britain’s Alice Tai was then second at 4:52.24, whereas Italy’s Xenia Francesca Palazzo completed third in 5:00.13. Lengthy and Tai traded off first place throughout the race, with Tai main till the final 50 meters, when Lengthy pulled forward and narrowly took gold.
Lengthy instructed NBC that she saved constructive as she and Tai battled within the pool.
“I simply mentioned the race isn’t over, hold your head down and swim for the little woman who by no means offers up.”
Lengthy’s triumph brings her to a complete of 4 gold medals within the girls’s 400m freestyle S8 over her lengthy Paralympic profession, together with eight silver medals and 5 bronze.
To be taught extra about all of the Olympic champions and Paralympic hopefuls, come to folks.com to take a look at ongoing protection earlier than, throughout and after the video games. Watch the Paris Paralympics, starting Aug. 28, on NBC and Peacock.