Alex Zanardi: Paralympic Legend Passes

0:00On May 2nd, Alex Zanardi, the Italian racing champ who became a Paralympic legend, has passed away at 59. His family shared the news Saturday, saying he died peacefully, Friday nights surrounded by loved ones. Zanardi survived a brutal crash back in 2001 that cost him both legs, then crushed it in hand-cycling with four gold medals and two. Silver's at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics. Earlier this decade, he designed his own prosthetics, got back on track with adapted race cars, and even set records like the Iron Man. He raced again in events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona, earning respect from drivers worldwide, including Formula One stars. Tributes poured in fast, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Maloney called him a champion who turned every setback into a lesson, encourage and hope. Formula One boss Stefano Domenicale said Zanardi's smile and determination inspired everyone while the International Automobile Federation hailed him as a symbol of grit.

1:01Then came the 2020 hand-by-crash in Tuscany, where he slammed into a truck, suffering major head and face injuries that put him in a coma. He'd been fighting back from that for years. Zanardi leased behind his wife, Daniela, and son, Nicolo, with the family asking for privacy now. Italy's honoring him with a minute of silence at all sports events this weekend. His story of bouncing back keeps pushing us all forward. This has been Global News Today, powered by AI.