PARIS, Sep 08 (V7N) — Jessica Long, the renowned American Paralympic swimmer, has reached another remarkable milestone in her career. On Saturday, she won her 18th Paralympic gold medal and 31st overall by taking first place in the 100m butterfly in the S8 category, which is for athletes with amputations.

At 32 years old, Long achieved this victory at her sixth Paralympic Games, adding to her recent triumph in the 400m freestyle S8 from a week ago in Paris.

"Oh goodness, this is so sweet," Long told AFP.

"When I touched the wall and looked around, I couldn’t believe I had won! I didn’t think I’d get another medal, so I just savored the moment," she added.

Adopted from Siberia by an American family when she was just 13 months old, Long underwent amputation of both her lower legs due to a congenital absence of the fibula shortly after her adoption.

She made her Paralympic debut at Athens 2004 at age 12, just months before Poland’s Natalia Partyka set a record competing in Sydney 2000 at the age of 11.

Since then, Long has established herself as a Paralympic icon, with only five athletes having secured more gold medals than her. Trischa Horn, her fellow American, holds the record for the most overall medals, with 55.

"In Athens, I was the underdog," Long reflected. "Now, I’m the veteran with experience. I always push for that extra gear, which I found in the 400m and the butterfly races."

At the La Defense Arena, Long, who uses prosthetic legs, was cheered by thousands of fans, a stark contrast to the empty stands at the Tokyo Games during the pandemic, where she won three gold medals.

After clinching her second gold in Paris, the crowd honored her with a thunderous applause, reminiscent of the Icelandic football team’s famous clap from 2016.

"The crowd’s support here in Paris has been extraordinary," Long said. "It truly means the world to me."

With her events completed, Long plans to enjoy a few extra days in Paris with her partner before celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary next month.

"I'm staying an additional two days with my husband. He’s planned a special dinner for me," she said.

Long, who will be 36 when the Los Angeles Games begin, hinted at retirement, saying, "That will be my farewell," with a smile.

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