Ezra Frech Achieves Historic Double Gold at Paris Paralympics
American athlete Ezra Frech accomplished a remarkable feat on Tuesday at the Paris Paralympics, winning his second gold medal by setting a new Paralympic record in the men’s high jump with a height of 1.94 meters. This jump was just shy of his own world record.
The day before, the 19-year-old secured his first gold medal in the men’s 100-meter T63 sprint in dramatic fashion. Coming from behind, Frech clinched victory in a photo finish, beating Denmark’s Daniel Wagner by a mere 0.02 seconds.
Born with congenital limb differences, Frech ran on his first blades at the age of four. His athletic journey quickly expanded to soccer, basketball, and track events. By the time he was 11, after watching the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Frech vowed to his friends that he would compete in Tokyo 2020.
“Everyone said I was crazy,” he told Sports Illustrated before the Games. “It was statistically unlikely. I mean, an 11-year-old saying he’s gonna make the Games in four years is utterly ridiculous.”
Frech kept his promise and qualified for Tokyo 2020, though he didn’t place, finishing fifth in the T63 high jump and missing out on a medal. “That is undoubtedly one of the most devastating moments of my entire life,” he shared with Sports Illustrated, reflecting on his Tokyo experience. “It’s easy to fail in private. It’s hard to fail on the world stage where everyone sees it.”
Determined to redeem himself, Frech spent years training, and his efforts paid off in Paris. Despite treating the 100m sprint as a warm-up for the high jump, Frech surprised even himself by winning his first gold medal.
“I’m still taking it in right now. I was definitely not expecting to go out there and win,” he admitted after the race.
In the high jump, where he holds the world record, Frech soared to a new Paralympic record height of 1.94 meters – 14 centimeters higher than his Tokyo attempt – securing his second gold medal of the Paris Paralympics.
Despite his achievements, Frech remains focused on a broader mission.
“I would trade in every medal, every world record, every national championship title if it meant I could normalize disability in the process,” he said. “That’s what I’m about. I just know that those accolades are a step to reach that larger goal.”
