Michael Phelps isn’t the only Baltimorean who has smashed world swimming records in Beijing.
Middle River’s Jessica Long set three world records en route to winning four gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the Paralympic Games.
Long, who moved to America from Russia when she was 13 months old, was born without fibulas, ankles, heels and most of the bones in her feet.
Long, 16, set the world record in the preliminary round of the 400-meter freestyle. Her time of 4:47.45 broke the previous record of 4:53.14, which she set in 2006.
“I didn’t feel great in the pool this morning,” Long said after the race. “That shows I can go even faster.”
Long also set world records in the 200-meter individual medley (2:41.85) and the women’s 100 meter freestyle (1:06.81).
Long’s most recent triumph came in the 400-meter freestyle on Thursday evening. After breaking her own record in the morning, Long finished in 4:50.17 to win her fourth gold medal.
“It felt good and I felt like I was trying a lot more than this morning, so I wasn’t expecting to add three seconds to my time,” Long said. “I don’t think the third 100 [meter leg] was as strong as it should be, but I’m very proud of the gold medal. There are a lot of good competitors out there.”
Long won three gold medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. In 2006, she won nine gold medals at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming Championships.
The United States had 14 gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals entering the weekend.
“Everyone is swimming really well and getting lifetime bests,” U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team coach Julie O’Neill said. “Whether they get a medal or not, personal bests are an incredible accomplishment that everyone can go after.”
