Athletics Paralympics 2024: Fleur Jong Wins Gold in Long Jump at Paris 2024 Paralympics
Fleur Jong, the Dutch Paralympic athlete, has made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s long jump T64 event at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France. This is Jong’s second consecutive gold medal in the long jump, having also won at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Jong victory in Paris is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit. Despite facing adversity in her life, she has risen above the challenges and become a true inspiration to people around the world.
Main Points
Early Life and Challenges
Fleur Jong was born on December 17, 1995, in Purmerend, Netherlands. A few days before her 17th birthday, she contracted a bacterial blood infection that led to the amputation of her right leg below the knee, part of her left foot, and the top halves of eight fingers. A year later, she made the decision to have her left leg amputated below the knee as well, as she was unable to use it properly.
Rise to Paralympic Glory
Despite the challenges she faced, Jong refused to let her disability define her. She discovered her passion for Paralympic sports and began training in athletics. In 2013, she attended a talent day for Paralympic sports organized by NOC*NSF, where she met her coach, Guido Bonsen.Jong’s hard work and dedication paid off when she represented the Netherlands at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Although she did not reach the finals in either the 100m or 200m sprint events, she continued to train and improve her skills.
Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Gold Medals
At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Jong’s perseverance and talent shone through as she won the gold medal in the women’s long jump T64 event with a new world record of 6.16 meters. This victory cemented her status as one of the top Paralympic athletes in the world.
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In Paris 2024, Jong faced even greater expectations as the defending champion. However, she rose to the occasion and delivered another stunning performance, winning the gold medal in the long jump with a jump of 6.48 meters, setting a new world record in the process.
Inspiring Others
Fleur Jong’s success goes beyond her individual achievements. She has become a role model for people with disabilities, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and never give up. Her story has been featured in various media outlets, and she has been recognized for her contributions to the Paralympic movement.
In addition to her athletic career, Jong is also a student at the University of Amsterdam, studying Communication Science. She has been granted Top-class athlete status, which allows her to be more flexible with her schedule and balance her studies with her training and competitions.
