Alex Zanardi - an actual legend.

[Reardy Mister]

In case you're not in the capital and in possesion of the a copy of tonight's Standard, I've linked to the story.

Compulsory reading: ranked #1 in the world in hand cycling, a chance for gold at the Para-Olympics and with a sense of humour, all at age 46 after the loss of both legs.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/artic...

Resepct.

[MattOz]

He is indeed a Legend. When your heart stops 7 times and you survive on a pint of blood, then someone up there thinks you deserve to be alive.

[Munter]

MattOz said:

He is indeed a Legend. When your heart stops 7 times and you survive on a pint of blood, then someone up there thinks you deserve to be alive.

I get the impression he refused to die. The Grim Reaper was probably chasing him around and Alex out ran him.

[Crafty_]

Amazing person.

If you look around there are videos of him getting a ride in a NASCAR around Monza with Max Papis.

[joncon]

one of life's true legends.
i remember him walking up to collect an award only months after losing his legs.
it would be awesome to see him at the olympics.
award
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfzDvFazDPc&fea...

Edited by joncon on Thursday 1st December 21:49

finishing those 13 lost laps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeX5MeTbFZM&fea...

Edited by joncon on Thursday 1st December 21:51

Edited by joncon on Thursday 1st December 21:52

[kieranjholland]

What a guy

[Life Saab Itch]

I don't have heros, but Zanardi comes close. Very close.

[AlpineWhite]

The man is an inspiration. Nothing but respect and admiration from me.

[Life Saab Itch]

The Olympic races that he'll be taking part in, are they going to be on the London streets or in the stadium?

[Munter]

Life Saab Itch said:

The Olympic races that he'll be taking part in, are they going to be on the London streets or in the stadium?

I believe he's a distance (Marathon) guy. So I'd expect him to be on the streets.

[RESSE]

Life Saab Itch said:

I don't have heros, but Zanardi comes close. Very close.

Agree with you 100%.

Zanardi is an exceptional man.

[n3il123]

Munter said:

Life Saab Itch said:

The Olympic races that he'll be taking part in, are they going to be on the London streets or in the stadium?

I believe he's a distance (Marathon) guy. So I'd expect him to be on the streets.

I believe that the start/ end/ middle takes in some of Brands Hatch circuit (well at least something at one of the Olympics does!)

[chris_w]

Fantastic stuff, I will make sure I'm there cheering him on:

http://www.paralympics.org.uk/show_news.asp?itemid...

[zaphod42]

chris_w said:

Fantastic stuff, I will make sure I'm there cheering him on:

http://www.paralympics.org.uk/show_news.asp?itemid...

Maybe a PH collective to cheer him on?

[gtdc]

Good plan.

[MrKipling43]

His epitaph should be 'Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.'

Or maybe, 'Keep the car warmed up, I'll be racing it again having lost my legs in a near-fatal accident before you've recovered from that cold, you massive pussy.'

[samvia]

RESSE said:

Agree with you 100%.

Zanardi is an exceptional man.

Fully agreed, I have a lot of respect for the man.

Loved a quote from him in a Guardian interview a while back, always look on the bright side:

Alex Zanardi said:

Last year, I test-drove a specially modified F1 car for BMW Sauber. The car was very small and I couldn't get in it. So I said: 'Well, I could make my feet smaller.' I'm the only driver on earth who can do that. I changed my feet, which were size 44 before the accident, for a size 36 [UK size 10 to size 4]. That, to me, was a great example of how human invention can help us overcome disability. Take a guy who is stuck at home in the same position as me and only changes the channel on his TV with his remote. I'm sure there will be people who watched me drive that F1 car and said: 'Wow, if that guy can achieve that with no legs, I can at least go down to the grocery store rather than live my life passively.'

Full interview here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/jul/29/motors...

[Asgardian]

MrKipling43 said:

His epitaph should be 'Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.'

Or maybe, 'Keep the car warmed up, I'll be racing it again having lost my legs in a near-fatal accident before you've recovered from that cold, you massive pussy.'

What a guy.

[Life Saab Itch]

zaphod42 said:

Maybe a PH collective to cheer him on?

A PH meet. Having a sound off as he goes past.


Seriously though, hopefully I'll be there to cheer him on.

might even get myself an Italian flag

[RESSE]

Humble, modest and charming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDJ4Dwt1h2c&fea...

It is a shame there are not more men like him.