History of Jessica Long in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 28, 2024

Jessica Long is a highly decorated Russian-American Paralympic swimmer competing in the S8, SB7, and SM8 categories. With numerous world records and 29 Paralympic medals across five Games, she is a dominant force in the pool. Her accomplishments extend beyond the Paralympics, boasting over 50 world championship medals.

February 29, 1992: Birth of Jessica Long

On February 29, 1992, Jessica Long (born Tatiana Olegovna Kirillova) was born in Bratsk, Russia.

2002: Jessica Long Begins Competitive Swimming

In 2002, Jessica Long began swimming competitively after joining her first team.

2003: Jessica Long Named Maryland Swimming's Female Swimmer with a Disability of the Year

Jessica Long was named Maryland Swimming's Female Swimmer with a Disability of the Year in 2003.

2004: Jessica Long Wins Three Gold Medals at Paralympic Games

At the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, twelve-year-old Jessica Long became the youngest competitor on the U.S. Paralympic team and won three gold medals in swimming.

2006: Record-Breaking Year for Jessica Long

In 2006, Jessica Long broke 18 world records and won nine gold medals at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships in Durban, South Africa. She also became the first Paralympic athlete to win the AAU's James E. Sullivan Award and was named the U.S. Olympic Committee's Paralympian of the Year and Swimming World Magazine's Disabled Swimmer of the Year.

2014: "Long Way Home" Broadcast on NBC

In 2014, NBC broadcasted "Long Way Home," a special about Jessica Long's journey to meet her biological parents.

2020: Toyota Ad Featuring Jessica Long's Story Airs During Olympics and Paralympics

In 2020, a Toyota ad titled "Upstream," which portrayed Jessica Long's adoption story, aired during the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

2020: 2020 Summer Paralympics Delayed

The 2020 Summer Paralympics were delayed.

June 2021: Jessica Long Named Lead for US Women's Paralympic Swim Team

Jessica Long was named lead for the US Women's Paralympic Swim Team for the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo in June 2021.

2021: Toyota Super Bowl Commercial Features Jessica Long's Story

A Toyota ad titled "Upstream," which ran as a Super Bowl commercial in 2021, portrayed Jessica Long's adoption story.

April 14, 2022: Jessica Long Named to US Roster for 2022 World Para Swimming Championships

Jessica Long was named to the roster to represent the United States at the 2022 World Para Swimming Championships on April 14, 2022.

April 29, 2023: Jessica Long Named to US Roster for 2023 World Para Swimming Championships

Jessica Long was named to the roster to represent the United States at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships on April 29, 2023.

Mentioned in this timeline

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