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This Paralympic Swimmer Has More Medals Than Michael Phelps

ron dicker
·2 min read

Paralympics swimmer Jessica Long has career numbers that rival Olympics great Michael Phelps.

On Wednesday, the American captured the 400 meter freestyle in the S8 class to win her 17th gold medal and 30th overall ― two more than sports icon Phelps.

It was her fourth gold in the event dating back to when she was 12 years old in Athens in 2004, according to Olympics.com.

That puts Long’s hardware count at 17 gold, eight silver and five bronze. Phelps has collected 23 gold, three silver and two bronze.

As she tired in the race, Long, 32, said she told herself, “Swim for the little girl who never gives up.”

Long’s legs were amputated below the knee when she was 18 months old, due to a genetic disease that left her without several bones, according to her Team USA bio.

“I never wanted to be just good or great, I really want to be a legend,” Long told the Associated Press before the Paris Games. “It’s one thing to get to the top, but I’ve been working so hard to stay at the top for so long.”

Mission accomplished.

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