Heinz Frei
Winner of 112 marathons worldwide, 10 times para-athlete of the year, 14 times world champion and over 25 years at the top of the world in racing wheelchair marathons
Topics
Focus, Goal Setting, Resilience
Accepting Difficult Life Circumstances
Discipline and Restructuring
Sports & Profession
- • Heinz Frei has set three world records in wheelchair marathons
- • Victory with 35 Paralympic medals across racing wheelchair, handbike and cross-country sled disciplines
- • 14 world championship titles in racing wheelchair and handbike events
Furthermore, he has been honoured as the10-time Para-Sportsperson of the Year on ten occasions. Heinz Frei is an absolute pioneer in para-sport. His most recent Paralympic medal was secured at the remarkable age of 63!
Private Life
Heinz Frei fell during a mountain run at the age of 20 and has been paraplegic ever since. He believes that negative stress can be employed in a positive manner if you strive to make the most of the situation. With this positive attitude, his courage to confront life, and the joy derived from movement and emotions through sports, Heinz Frei stands as an exceptional athlete in his chosen sport.
«Before you can develop positive perspectives, you have to learn to love your new body. That is the prerequisite. It's a difficult process that requires a lot of patience and a good environment.»