Paralympian Ezra Frech soars to Gold, inspired by Shaquille O'Neal's DM

Paralympic champion Ezra Frech recently revealed a heartwarming story of how a message from NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal motivated him to achieve his gold medal dreams in Paris. Frech, 19, who was born with congenital limb differences, secured victories in both the 100m sprint and men's high jump events.

“Shaq did send me a video wishing me good luck, telling me to go win the gold,” he told Us Weekly. “Maybe I felt so motivated by it, I had to do it twice. Shaq’s the man. For him to say something like that was really cool. I was freaking out in my room. We were all freaking out.” This unexpected boost from his idol spurred Frech on to double his gold medal tally.

The young athlete is a strong advocate for the Paralympics, emphasizing the high level of competition and the incredible achievements of athletes with disabilities. He hopes to compete again in the 2028 Los Angeles Games while continuing his studies at the University of Southern California.

Frech's story is an inspiring testament to the power of dreams, determination, and the positive impact of role models. His journey will be further explored in the upcoming documentary "Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution," produced by P&G Studios & Harder Than You Think, aiming to reshape perceptions of disability.