Jessica Gillan lives in Dunedin with her partner Dale. She has competed in Para athletics including shot put, discus and javelin since the age of 15 and has competed in international competitions since 2006. Jessica made her Paralympic debut in Beijing 2008.
Jessica took a break from competing in Para athletics form 2012 through to mid 2014. She took time to assess exactly what she wanted and to try different things, including moving out of Dunedin.
Jessica moved back to Dunedin in 2015 and since then has had a renewed drive and passion for Para athletics. She strongly believes that the break helped shape who she is today and she is loving being back on the world stage. In 2016 she once again represented New Zealand at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games winning a bronze medal. Her performance contributed to the New Zealand Paralympic Team’s stunning 21 medals across 12 individual medallists in 2016 (9 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze). The Team finished first in the world per capita and 13th in the world overall (previous best: 16th). Outside of Para athletics, Jessica works as a file clerk.
Jess officially received her ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project in Dunedin in February 2021.
