Medal-Winning Long Jumper Honors Late Grandmother In Creative Way At Paralympics

Paralympic long jumper Isaac Jean-Paul had one person on his mind when he competed in Paris on Saturday.

This moment right here was bigger than me, Jean-Paul, who won a silver medal in the mens long jump in the T13 classification, told NBC . This moment was for my grandmother.

The Illinois-born athlete said that his grandmother died last year, and he came up with a unique way to honor her memory.

I taped her obituary on my seat. She had the best seat in the house, he said, displaying a piece of paper with her image that he brought to the event.

As a child, Jean-Paul was diagnosed with juvenile retinoschisis, a condition that affects peripheral and central vision. He previously won a bronze medal in the T13 mens long jump at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020.

After snagging the silver in Paris, Jean-Paul said he cant thank God enough for being able to share his win with everyone in attendance and, most importantly, his late grandmother.