Former Formula 1 driver and CART series' champion Alex Zanardi will make his Paralympic debut in a few weeks at the London Games.
In September 2001, Zanardi, racing in the CART series lost both his legs in a terrible race crash at the Lausitzring oval in Germany. Zanardi's car was t-boned at 200 mph by another car after spinning out of control while coming back on the race track.
But having designed his own prosthetic legs, the likeable Italian made a successful return to motorsport in the World Touring Car Championship before turning to wheelchair sport, and has now qualified for the Paralympics as a hand cyclist.
Training really hard, Zanardi won the 2011 New York handcycle marathon.
“The fact that I’ve been able not only to turn a misfortune into an opportunity, but to turn it into a great opportunity,” said Zanardi during an interview at SPEED Center.
“I wouldn’t do what I am doing if I didn’t love it. The fact that I’m loving paracycling, what I am doing today, the fact that I’ve been able to qualify and represent my nation in the next Olympic games is something I will forever tell my friends,” the Italian declared.
In September 2001, Zanardi, racing in the CART series lost both his legs in a terrible race crash at the Lausitzring oval in Germany. Zanardi's car was t-boned at 200 mph by another car after spinning out of control while coming back on the race track.
But having designed his own prosthetic legs, the likeable Italian made a successful return to motorsport in the World Touring Car Championship before turning to wheelchair sport, and has now qualified for the Paralympics as a hand cyclist.
Training really hard, Zanardi won the 2011 New York handcycle marathon.
“The fact that I’ve been able not only to turn a misfortune into an opportunity, but to turn it into a great opportunity,” said Zanardi during an interview at SPEED Center.
“I wouldn’t do what I am doing if I didn’t love it. The fact that I’m loving paracycling, what I am doing today, the fact that I’ve been able to qualify and represent my nation in the next Olympic games is something I will forever tell my friends,” the Italian declared.