Milano, 2 May. (askanews) – Alex Zanardi, a symbol of resilience, has suddenly passed away Thursday May 1st at the age of 59as announced by the family who asks for privacy in this moment of mourning.
Born in Bologna on 23 October 1966, the former Formula 1 driver lost both legs in a serious CART accident in 2001 in Germany, but reinvented his life as a paracyclist.
Zanardi won 4 gold and 2 silver at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics in handbikand, in addition to 12 world titles, becoming the Italian standard-bearer and founder of Objective Tricolore for disabled athletes. A second serious accident in June 2020 near Pienza, Siena, saw him collide with a lorry during a relay race, suffering a head injury that kept him in prolonged care until the end.
A symbol of strength for Italy, Zanardi leaves behind a wife Daniela and a son, inspiring generations with his “Objective 3” for Paralympic sport.
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