Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: Markus Rehm wins his fifth Paralympic gold medal after dominant performance in the long jump T64

While Markus Rehm of Germany had his mind set on setting another world record in the Para athletics long jump T64 at Paris 2024, he instead had to settle for his fourth Paralympics gold medal in the discipline and fifth gold overall. He led from the outset, building up to his gold medal winning jump of 8.13m.

Derek Loccident of the United States put up a valiant effort, earning the silver medal with his longest jump traveling 7.79m. Jarryd Wallace of the United States took home the bronze with a jump of 7.49m.

Mpumelelo Mhlongo of South Africa set the world record in the long jump T44 with a jump of 7.12m despite missing the podium.

While Rehm and gold medalist have become synonymous over the years, his ascent to the pinnacle of his discipline took years of preparation, fine-tuning and dedication.

Get to know Markus Rehm

In 2003, at the age of 14, Rehm was injured in a wakeboarding accident that led to his right leg being amputated under the knee. He struggled to cope with his new reality initially but slowly began gravitating back towards athletics by age 20. Once rekindling his interest, Rehm never looked back and it did not take him long to begin his ascension. By 2011, he had already become a long jump F44 world champion - the first of an eventual nine World Para Athletics championships.

This first taste of gold set the stage for his Paralympics debut at London 2012. Here, Rehm won his first Paralympics gold medal in the long jump F42-44 classification, setting a new world record in the process. He also took home bronze in the 4 x 100 m T42–46 in London.

In 2014, he won gold in the long jump at German Athletics Championships but other competitors protested that his blade provided an unfair advantage in comparison to able-bodied athletes. Despite these objections, his victory was upheld. However, that same year, he was banned from the 2014 European Athletics Championships after similar complaints about his blade.

In 2016, Rehm attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 but was denied once again because of his blade with studies stating it could provide him an unfair advantage. Instead he competed in the Paralympics and won two gold medals, one in the long jump T44 and the other in 4 x 100 m relay T42–47. He also served as Germany’s flagbearer during the opening ceremony.

With each major competition, Rehm continued to perfect his craft and increase his distances. This all led to the 2021 World Para Athletics European Championships where he set another world record, jumping 8.62m. He would best this record in 2023, reaching 8.72m. Despite still being the world record holder, Rehm is not satisfied and has greater aspirations.

“I'm dreaming of this magic mark. 8.95 still stands for Mike Powell. And for me, it's always so far out of reach and slowly we're getting closer," he told Olympics.com. “My coach and me, we have seen that the 8.72 wasn't perfect, and right after the first celebration, after the jump, she took me by my hand and showed me how I landed in the pit. She just showed me how unfortunate - let's name it that way - how unfortunate I landed, and that there was actually quite some space left that I could have gained.”

This mindset, intensity and focus fuels Rehm’s greatness as he continues to stack gold medals and world records. Overall, he has won five Paralympic gold medals, nine World championships and eight European championships.

More from Para athletics long jump T64

Rehm has now won a gold medal in Para athleitcs long jump T64 at every Games since his debut in London 2012.

"I am incredibly proud and grateful. A dream has come true. It was a difficult competition for all of us, but at the end of the day the medal is what counts and gold is unbelievably great," Rehm said. "If you win the fourth gold medal at the fourth Games, it's unbelievable. That was the goal."

Loccident also had praise for the gold medalist.

“He is one of the greatest long jumpers we have. He motivates me a lot, in every sense. Last year we jumped here in Paris at the world championships. Being in that environment with him and seeing him jump motivated me a lot," he said. "Throughout the year, I train to be able to match his mentality in what he brings, because you know he’s going to bring multiple eight-metre jumps in each event. I was not able to do that (today), but he motivates me every time we encounter each other. I am thankful that we have him in the Paralympics. A guy like him, a trendsetter, someone to be able to pave the way for guys like me to compete in this amazing event.”

The 26-year-old American also expressed his excitement about taking home the silver medal with a strong performance.

“It went really good. It’s my first Paralympic Games, the nerves were there. I was a little bit jittery at the beginning until I had my big jump in the second round and I started feeling comfortable. I am walking away with a silver medal, proud and happy to accomplish my Paralympic Games with a medal,” Loccident said.

Even Wallace, the event's bronze medalist, expressed praise towards Rehm. The 34-year-old American now adds a second bronze medal to his resume over the course of four Paralympic appearancves.

“He’s a phenomenal athlete. He showed today his average is eight (metres) all day long. He got some bombs out there. I think all of us were trying to find some different things today," Wallace said. “He’s been a remarkable friend of mine. He really helped me move into long jump. He’s given me some tips and access to information that helped me shortcut to the global stage. I’m just grateful to him and proud of him. I’m honoured to compete against all these guys."