The Backstory:
Jonathan Gore started his track career in college, where he competed as an able-bodied track and field athlete at Concord University. After wrapping up his collegiate running career in 2017, he severely injured his heel in a lawn mower accident. To pursue his dreams of competing at the Olympics, Gore elected to amputate his left leg below the knee. He was back on the track just a few months after his accident and locked in on making it to the Paralympics. In his short time as an amputee athlete, he has earned his place, ranking 2nd nationally in the men’s 200m and clocking in his best 100m dash at 00:11:29.
Away from the track:
Gore graduated with a bachelor’s in social work from Concord in 2017 and is now pursuing his master’s degree in health promotion. As he works towards his second degree at Concord, he is doubling as a graduate assistant and track and field coach. Though he has a busy schedule, he enjoys traveling and meeting new people when he can.
In their own words:
“The ER, right before my surgery, he asked me if I had any questions. The first question was how much of my leg was he going to remove. The second question was if I could eat that day because I literally had not eaten that entire day. And the last question was after he does this, could get a running blade so I could train in the Paralympics.”
“The person that really got me going into the Paralympic world was Jarryd Wallace. I’m just thankful (to) God for this opportunity, and I’m thankful for Jarryd being the mediator for the Paralympics and for myself and helping me in every step of the way.”
Learn More:
Team USA Page
Team USA: “Jonathan Gore Hopes to Reach Peak of Quick Para Track Ascent With Tokyo Berth”
WVVA: “Gore and Glory: Jonathan Gore’s Path to the Paralympic Games”
CU Mountain Lions: “Gore Selected To Team USA For 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games”
CU Mountain Lions: “Behind the Scenes with Jonathan Gore”
TEAM
Paralympian
- Sport: Track and Field
- Limb Difference: Below Knee
- DOB:
- Residence: ,
- College: Concord University
- Previous Games: None
- Classification: T63
