Alex Zanardi, what a man
Discussion
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126186...
Took a great tragedy in his life and turned it into an opportunity to become a highly successful paralympian. Who would have thought when things looked so grave 15 years ago. Inspirational.
Took a great tragedy in his life and turned it into an opportunity to become a highly successful paralympian. Who would have thought when things looked so grave 15 years ago. Inspirational.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=153...
For the previous thread. I'll post the YT link again of Zanardi sacrificing his own medal hopes in the Venice marathon to help a young quadriplegic finish the race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8K4p9EoQxQ
Who else in any sport would do that. Inspirational is an understatement.
Bob
For the previous thread. I'll post the YT link again of Zanardi sacrificing his own medal hopes in the Venice marathon to help a young quadriplegic finish the race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8K4p9EoQxQ
Who else in any sport would do that. Inspirational is an understatement.
Bob
His messaging is also hugely inspirational, and to my mind encapsulates exactly what the Paralympics should be about.
Zinardi on BBC website said:
"I feel very lucky, I feel my life is a never-ending privilege," said Zanardi.
"Where today you have the Olympic Stadium, on that piece of land they used to have an Indy Car circuit, which is where I won my very first pole position - for a romantic guy like me this is quite special."
But Zanardi, who will compete in the road race on Thursday, insisted his story was no more remarkable than those of the other 4,300 athletes competing at the Paralympics.
"Even my accident, what happened to me, became the biggest opportunity of my life," he said. "All the things I am doing today are related to my new condition.
"When you find yourself in a certain situation you have to identify where you want to go and focus on what you can achieve on that given day.
"Whether it is a small thing or big one, step-by-step you can make things happen.
"At the time I was asked if I would ever step back in a race car, but what was very important for me was to go into the bathroom and pee on my own, but I could not do that.
"I had to be helped. That was my number one priority. Day by day I managed to regain control and strength, regain some confidence and concentrate on different things and here I am now."
"Where today you have the Olympic Stadium, on that piece of land they used to have an Indy Car circuit, which is where I won my very first pole position - for a romantic guy like me this is quite special."
But Zanardi, who will compete in the road race on Thursday, insisted his story was no more remarkable than those of the other 4,300 athletes competing at the Paralympics.
"Even my accident, what happened to me, became the biggest opportunity of my life," he said. "All the things I am doing today are related to my new condition.
"When you find yourself in a certain situation you have to identify where you want to go and focus on what you can achieve on that given day.
"Whether it is a small thing or big one, step-by-step you can make things happen.
"At the time I was asked if I would ever step back in a race car, but what was very important for me was to go into the bathroom and pee on my own, but I could not do that.
"I had to be helped. That was my number one priority. Day by day I managed to regain control and strength, regain some confidence and concentrate on different things and here I am now."
He'll be driving a BMW M6 GT3 in the final round of the Italian GT Championship http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/126419...
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