Unsurprisingly the Californian has also posted numerous world records during her career, two of which still stand today, some eight years after she last competed at Athens 2004.

Accolades have followed Zorn since her retirement, but one of her proudest has only just arrived when she was inducted into the Visa Paralympic Hall of Fame (pictured below) at the start of the London 2012 Games.

Before a stellar audience that included International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge and London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, a tearful Zorn accepted the honour from International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven.

"This is a huge honour," she said through deep breaths. "I am so grateful and proud to be a Paralympian, and this is a very special moment for me."

But, following the conclusion of the ceremony, it was a smiling and truly delightful woman with whom I sat down to congratulate on being further recognised as the finest Paralympian of all time.


"I don't handle the 'greatest Paralympian ever' title well because I don't see myself as that," she told me with a disarming grin. "I competed hard and achieved what I wanted to achieve.

"I guess it is fortunate that I was a swimmer and had the ability to compete in multiple events but, still, it is a little strange to think that you are the greatest Paralympian. I just see myself as a lucky athlete who got to compete in a sport she loved and it was nice to win a few medals along the way."

And of the whereabouts of those 55 medals? "We have a special case we keep them in," she revealed, "and we take good care of it."

Zorn (pictured below, at Athens 2004) admitted she was delighted to be invited to the London 2012 Paralympics, some 32 years after she first experienced the Games at the tender age of 16.

Looking back she admitted it is quite "strange" to note how the Paralympics has changed during that time.


"There is obviously a difference with each Games depending on where it is held and every city will push as hard as they can to make their own event better than the Games before," she said. "There are also developments in technology and equipment which helps each Games improve on its predecessor, and I suppose all those things have lead us to what we are seeing at London 2012.

"It has been a great journey but to see London in 2012 and then to think what it was like back in Arnhem in 1980 is astonishing. Back then, no-one had really heard of the Paralympics – but now it is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet."

Given Zorn's obvious fondness for these current Games, I asked if she would rather have attended London 2012 as an athlete rather than a fan.

"Of course I would love to have competed here because it is a phenomenal stage," she responded, almost surprised that I would ask such a question. "Once an athlete, always an athlete – so when you attend the Opening Ceremony or go to the venues you get that little gut wrench that [makes you feel like] you want to be out there competing.

"But you have to move on in life and that is why I always tell young athletes not to take the Games for granted because things can change instantly and you have to have a back-up plan."


Zorn (pictured above) continued: "I do love speaking with young athletes and passing on advice because I know what it is like. I was 16 at my first Games, you are a little immature and you don't really know what you are getting yourself into.

"But you learn and mature with each Games. I always found it invaluable hearing from more experienced athletes and I hope I can give something to those younger ones."

One specific organisation to which Zorn is passing on the benefits of her experience is the US Department of Veterans Affairs, where she works professionally as an attorney helping injured American soldiers break into Paralympic sport (pictured below).

"To work with our veterans is truly a blessing and an inspiration," she declared. "To see the way they come back from serious injury to compete in sport it amazing and I think we will see many Paralympic champions from the military in future years. They are talented, courageous and never give up – those are the traits you need to succeed in Paralympic sport."

Paralympic sport is something with which Zorn has never lost touch, even after retiring, as she now serves on the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Athletes' Advisory Council.

It is, Zorn told me, a position she cherishes and she is involved at a very important time with the USOC considering a bid for the Olympics and Paralympics in either 2024 or 2026.


She smiles at the prospect of seeing the Paralympics return to America for the first time since the Salt Lake City Winter Games of 2002, which came just a few short years after Atlanta 1996 Games at which she competed.

"I would love to have the Games back in the US, and would love to be a part of both that and the bid process," she said. "The United States would work to put on the best Paralympics and Olympics ever.

"I'm sure the Paralympics would be a real cornerstone of any bid because it is one of the top priorities in the US now. Sponsors are looking to invest more and more in our Paralympic athletes and the athletes are showing a return with world class performances, which maybe we didn't see in the past."

Zorn added enthusiastically: "It is just a great time to be a US Paralympian or involved in the Paralympics."

Outside North America, Zorn takes a particularly close interest in the performances of two South Africans; double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius (pictured below, carrying flag) and single-leg amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit. Both have competed at the Olympics, Pistorius at London 2012 and du Toit at Beijing 2008.


The American is full of admiration for the magnificent sporting example they have set.

"Oscar is a great example of what you can do, not just as a Paralympic athlete but also as an Olympic athlete and it is the same with Natalie," said Zorn. "Their example gives other athletes the inspiration and motivation to think they can also go on to do great things.

"Some have called it controversial but it is not – it is inspirational."

Indeed, these Paralympic legends are close to rivalling Zorn's status as the greatest ever.

Although she looks set to hold the title for a while yet, at least statistically, with no other Paralympian having exceeded 25 medals, Zorn confessed she would be happy to see her record disappear.

"Medals are great but you learn that they are not everything because records are meant to be broken," she said. "I would love to see someone push themselves hard to beat my record.

"It would truly be great because that is what sport is all about."

Tom Degun is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here.