Ezra Frech

Started: He began competing in athletics in 2013. He decided to focus on athletics and give up all other sports after being inspired by the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (lamag.com, 18 Jul 2024; FOX 11 Los Angeles YouTube channel, 08 Jun 2015; TheEllenShow YouTube channel, 09 Dec 2014) Reason: His father entered him into the Endeavour Games in Oklahoma, United States of America. "I did the 60m, 100m, 200m, 400m, long jump, high jump, discus, javelin and shot put. My dad figured, 'We've travelled this far, so you might as well do everything'." (sportsengine.com, 01 Oct 2020; FOX 11 Los Angeles YouTube channel, 08 Jun 2015; TheEllenShow YouTube channel, 09 Dec 2014) Ambition: To improve on his performance from the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo at the 2024 Games in Paris, and to win three gold medals [in the high jump, long jump, and 100m] at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. (lamag.com, 18 Jul 2024) Awards: In 2013 he received the Courage Award at the Kobe Basketball Academy in Thousand Oaks, CA, United States of America. (Facebook page, 15 Apr 2020) In 2009 he received the Rising Star Award from the Challenged Athletes Foundation in the United States of America. (Facebook page, 15 Apr 2020) Additional Info: TOKYO DISAPPOINTMENT FUELS PARALYMPIC FIRE He says that missing out on a podium place at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo added to his motivation ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris and especially the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, as he is from Los Angeles. "Missing the podium in Tokyo is definitely one of the more difficult moments of my life. I thought to myself, I'm going to use this moment as fuel to drive me to become the greatest Paralympian of all time. When I get the opportunity to compete in my hometown at the 2028 Games, that is going to be the peak of my career, and that is going to be the pinnacle of my life. I don't think there will ever be a moment in my life where I will feel that level of joy, gratitude and appreciation for life as a whole." (lamag.com, 18 Jul 2024) GAP YEAR, COLLEGE COMMITMENT He and his family made the decision for him to take a gap year after graduating from high school so he could focus on preparing for the 2024 Paralympic Games. In early 2024 he announced his commitment to the University of Southern California. (uscannenbergmedia.com, 05 Feb 2024; pressroom.toyota.com, 03 Aug 2023) LOS ANGELES 2028 LOGO He designed one of the variations of the logo for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The Games organisers invited athletes, artists and other public figures to contribute versions of the 'A' in 'LA', with the initial designs revealed in 2020. His design featured the face of a cheetah, and detail related to Para athletics including running blades and a wheelchair. "Kids can feel left out and isolated. But this 'A' represents them. It's been amazing." (sportsengine.com, 01 Oct 2020; insidethegames.biz, 01 Sep 2020; itsnicethat.com, 02 Sep 2020) OTHER ACTIVITIES He and his family are founders of Angel City Sports, which provides Para sport opportunities to people with an impairment in Los Angeles, CA, United States of America. His fundraising organisation, Team Ezra, has raised more than 400,000 USD for non-profit organisations that support people with a physical impairment. Since childhood he has spoken at schools to raise awareness as part of the project. "I just want to be the best person that I can be and share my story and try to help others become the best person they can be." (lamag.com, 18 Jul 2024; Instagram profile, 25 Feb 2021; Angel City Sports Instagram profile, 25 Feb 2021; Angel City Sports YouTube channel, 30 Apr 2020; Facebook page, 25 Dec 2020; huffingtonpost.co.uk, 11 May 2016)

Sporting Relatives: His mother Bahar Soomekh is an actress and has appeared in the 'Saw' and 'Mission Impossible' film franchises. (teamusa.org, 04 Aug 2019)