Runner.  Sprinter.  Long Jumper.  Philanthropist.  World Record Holder.  Paralympian.

Early symptoms of toxic shock mimic the influenza virus.  But as the toxins are released into the bloodstream and spread to the organs, the illness can quickly become life-threatening.  This was true for 17-year old Dutch native and sports enthusiast, Fleur Jong, who within 24 hours of falling ill would go on to lose her right foot, half her left foot, heel and half of eight fingers.

“I went home from school with what I thought was a flu. Less than 24 hours later was rushed to the hospital and the doctors did everything to keep me alive.”

Surrounded by a supportive network of family, friends and an experienced prosthetist, Fleur wasted no time in her recovery and rehabilitation.  She returned to school and tried to adapt.  Shortly thereafter, Dutch Paralympic sprinter Marlou van Rhijn invited her to a talent day for parathletes.  Fleur experimented with different Paralympic sports, but her partial left foot made it painful to adapt to her prosthetic.  She was determined to resume an active lifestyle.  One year after her illness, she made the “most important and best decision” to amputate the remainder of her left foot.  The result would be a new, better fitting prosthetic.  Four months later, she would begin training with her country’s Paralympic team.    

"After I lost my legs, I was trying to find a new sport with which I could improve my health and make the best of my new situation. Athletics provided me with lots of general skills and challenged me every day. I started falling in love with it quickly."

Once fitted with running blades (Cheetah Xtreme), Fleur began training full-time.  Three years after falling ill, she claimed the bronze in the T44 200m at the 2015 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.  Later, she would place fourth in the same event at the 2017 World Championships in London, England.   

Her success fueled her.  Encouraged by her teammates and coaching staff, she expanded her training to include the long jump.

It was Fleur’s performance at the two-day Paris 2019 World Para Athletics Grand Prix that put her on the world stage.  She broke the women’s 100m T62 world record, before going on to lower it yet further in the final, winning gold in a time of 10.16 seconds.  She came out on the second day of competition and soared to 5.21m in the T62 long jump, demolishing another world record and claiming a second gold.

 “I never doubted that I would pick up my life again, but how was a surprise and what kind of one!”