Jessica Lewis Qualifies For 2012 Paralympics
[Updated with video] Marking the first time in history a Bermudian has qualified for the track and field portion, Bermuda’s Jessica Lewis has qualified for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Ms Lewis just concluded taking part in several summer track meets in the US and Canada in her continuing bid to enter the 2012 Games.
Last night [May 19] at the Desert Challenge in Mesa, Arizona, she put on a dominating performance and was first across the line in all three of her races: 100m, 200m and 400m, picking up three gold medals.
She attained another personal best, which also qualified her for the 2012 London Games.
The 19-year-old will become only the fourth athlete from Bermuda to compete at a Paralympic Games, following in the footsteps of Kirsty Anderson, Phyllis Harshaw and Sandy Mitchell who all competed in Equestrian events.
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities held in conjunction with the Olympics.
There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games which take place immediately following the respective Olympic Games in the same host cities, and the Games are considered the highest level of competition in the world.
Ms Lewis previously made history when she became the first ever track and field athlete to represent Bermuda at a major para-sport Championships at the 2011 Parapan American Games in Mexico last year.
Update 10.32pm: Ms Lewis — and her three medals — returned to Bermuda this evening after competing in Arizona, and is pictured below with her mother and sister. Speaking at the airport, her mother said she was so excited watching her daughter perform so well in the races that she was screaming in the stands.
Ms Lewis — who has qualified for the Paralympics in the 200m — said she plans to travel back overseas on Friday where she hopes to achieve additional qualifications in both the 100m and the 400m. She said she is very close in the 100m, having clocked in at 19.13, just a shade off the qualifying mark of 19.00.
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Many many congratulations – you have worked really hard for this – great news!!!
This is such great news
…… Very happy for her!!!!! You go girl!!
Dare to Dream the Dream … Good Luck , Mountbatten wishes You well !
Congratulations Jessica! What a great achievement. Tickets go on general sale tomorrow morning, we’ll try & be there. The Rivaz family
Congratulations! What a great feat!
Congratulations! You go girl!! Your hard work has definitely paid off. Lori and the rest of your family must be very proud of you. Hooks must be over the moon!! All the best this summer.
Jessica…we are all thrilled. You have a marvellous, supportive family and Bermuda is so proud of you. It is ‘true grit’and a fantastic accomplishment.
I am very happy to read such a wonderful story on Bernews!!! Wonderful. Jessica, I am very proud of you. I cannot think of too many families who have been fortunate enough to have one athlete representing our country at the top level. Keep up the great work.
Congratulations Jessica! Your desire/dream/vision is becoming a reality – at the highest level. You are a shining example of the determination, courage, and stamina it takes to cope with and overcome a disability. As you often say: “there is no DIS in dis-ability!
Go Jess!!
Congratulations Jessica.We always knew you would achieve your dream and ours too in the BPARAS!
We are so proud of you and know you will continue your endeavour in the next few weeks to obtain your AQS in 100m and BQS in 400m. You are all but there.
We wish you every success
Jessica,
Congratulations on your qualification. Your hard work is paying off.
Continue to stick to the wicket. We are proud of you.
You have worked very hard for this moment; years of hard work is for the few seconds on the world stage. Congratulations, on making it to the apex of the competitions. We wish you the best of health and best of luck.
TCM Dr.Wen Shiu Chen
Jessica – not sure if you remember me but I was one of your Girl Guide leaders in 2005-7. I moved back to Atlanta in 2007. I have been following your progress and am so proud of you and will be cheering you on from Atlanta – You are an amzing young woman – back in 2006 I knew you would be! All my best – Jennifer Murkison (Murky)