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Beyond sport, Alex Zanardi authored several books, hosted television programs, and lent his voice in an animated film.
Alex Zanardi lost both legs in a motor racing accident in 2001. (AFP Photo)
Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula One driver who became a Paralympic champion after losing both legs in a devastating accident, has died at the age of 59, his family announced on Saturday. Widely regarded as one of Italy’s most admired and respected sportsmen, Zanardi was credited with reshaping perceptions of disability in the country.
In a statement issued through the charity he founded, Obiettivo3, his family said he died “suddenly” on Friday evening, without providing further details. They added that he passed away “peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends”.
Zanardi lost both legs in a motor racing accident in 2001 but went on to achieve remarkable success as a Paralympian, winning four gold medals in handcycling. He had largely remained out of public view since a second serious crash in June 2020, when his handbike collided with an oncoming truck during a race in Tuscany.
Married with a son, Zanardi suffered severe head injuries in that incident and returned home only after 18 months of recovery.
“Alex was a pioneer, icon and legend of the Paralympic Movement,” a spokesman for the International Paralympic Committee said. “His performances were truly out of this world, engaged new fans to the Games, and showed the world that anything is possible. The iconic picture of him raising his handcycle above his head in victory at London 2012 will go down in history as one of the great sporting images. He will be remembered forever.”
Zanardi began his Formula One career in the early 1990s, racing for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus, before moving to the CART championship in the United States, where he won back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998. He returned briefly to F1 with Williams in 1999 before heading back to CART.
His career took a tragic turn in 2001 at Germany’s Lausitzring, where his car spun and stalled on track before being struck by another vehicle traveling at over 300 km/h (186 mph).
The collision severed both his legs, and Zanardi lost a significant amount of blood. A chaplain administered last rites as his heart stopped multiple times, and he underwent 15 surgeries in a Berlin hospital.
“When I woke up, I didn’t think about my legs. I thought about the half of me that remained,” Zanardi recalled.
Just three months later, he made his first public appearance in his hometown of Bologna at an awards ceremony.
“What emotion, my legs are trembling,” he said.
After returning to motorsport in specially adapted cars, Zanardi later became a global icon in Paralympic sport through handcycling. He won two gold medals at the London 2012 Games and added two more at Rio 2016.
He also claimed victory in the Rome Marathon in 2010 and the New York Marathon the following year, guided by what he called his “five-seconds rule”.
“When you have given everything, go on for five seconds. This is where the others can’t do it anymore,” he said.
Beyond sport, Zanardi authored several books, hosted television programs, and lent his voice to the Italian version of the animated film “Cars”.
Through his charity work and advocacy, he inspired countless disabled athletes. The FIA, motorsport’s governing body, described him as “an enduring symbol of courage and determination”.
Cordiano Dagnoni, president of the Italian Cycling Federation, said Zanardi “transformed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world”.
He added that a minute’s silence would be observed at races over the weekend in tribute.
On X, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Zanardi as “a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity”.
With AFP Inputs
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