Ex-F1 driver turned Paralympic champion Zanardi dies / Photo: © AFP/File
-
Austria's Rangnick shuts down conspiracy talk ahead of Algeria World Cup clash
-
DR Congo must take risks to keep World Cup 'dream alive', says Desabre
-
Should we fear an AI bubble bust?
-
Jangoo, Chase keep West Indies in touch against Sri Lanka
-
US strikes Iran sites after cargo ship attack
-
Dembele hat-trick as France swat Norway, Senegal stay alive
-
Gueye double keeps Senegal's World Cup hopes alive
-
Dembele hits hat-trick as France thrash second-string Norway at World Cup
-
US stocks recover from tech tremors as oil prices fall
-
Globalization isn't dead, just 'transformed,' says IMF chief economist
-
OpenAI restricts limited release of new model to US only
-
Israel and Lebanon hail Washington deal, rejected by Hezbollah
-
Scheffler fires 60 to grab early PGA Travelers lead
-
Usyk -- pugilist who kept Ukrainian spirits high in darkest days
-
Trump blasts 'godless' Democrats in incendiary speech to evangelicals
-
Orange wave: Dutch World Cup dream gathers pace
-
Venezuela earthquakes kill 920, tens of thousands missing
-
Swiss nuclear plant shut down due to heatwave
-
Hundred hero Duckett punishes New Zealand after Stokes sparks England revival
-
American businesswoman Michele Kang buys French club Lyon
-
South Korea coach bereft of answers with World Cup hopes on knife-edge
-
Lebanon, Israel, US sign trilateral framework agreement in Washington
-
Mistrial declared in deadly Los Angeles fire case
-
Antonelli scores 'double top' for Mercedes as Russell warns of McLaren threat
-
Verstappen wants to stay at Red Bull – in a fast car, says Mekies
-
Australia eye 'something special' after reaching World Cup last 32
-
Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts
-
UK sets new June temperature record for third day in a row: Met Office
-
Germany sees hottest temperature on record of 41.3C: weather service
-
AI abuse deterring good MPs: incoming IPU chief
-
Teenager Antonelli dominates practice for Austrian GP
-
More than 50,000 missing after Venezuela quakes, death toll soars
-
Japan say bring on Brazil at World Cup but wary of revenge mission
-
Caudullo challenges Montpellier to be 'watertight' against Dupont threat
-
Stocks recover from tech tremors as oil prices fall
-
Venezuela earthquakes toll soars to 589 amid desperate rescue effort
-
How heatwaves are dangerous to human health
-
Stokes strikes on England return before Duckett runs riot against New Zealand
-
Europe heatwave shattering temperature records: UN
-
UK hottest June day record broken for third day in a row: Met Office
-
Farm workers wilt in sweltering Italian shanty town
-
Tech jitters send stocks lower, oil prices fall
-
Keys to face Maria in Eastbourne final
-
Stokes strikes on England return as New Zealand all out for 438
-
Venezuela earthquakes toll doubles amid desperate rescue efforts
-
Caudullo challenges Montpellier to be 'watertight' against Dupont
-
Mercedes dominate opening practice at Austrian GP
-
Osaka sinks Wang to reach first grass court final
-
Wawrinka announces farewell fete with Federer and Murray
-
UN demands probes into US ICE custody deaths
Ex-F1 driver turned Paralympic champion Zanardi dies
Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula One driver who became a Paralympic cycling champion after losing both legs in an accident, has died aged 59, his family announced Saturday.
Zanardi, one of his country's most loved and respected sportsmen, who was credited with helping transform the perception of disability in Italy, died on Friday evening.
In a statement issued through the charity he founded, Obiettivo3, his family said he died "suddenly", but also "peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends".
It comes six years after the four-time Paralympic gold medal winner suffered a second horror crash in June 2020, when his handbike crashed into an oncoming truck during a race in Tuscany.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Zanardi as "a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity".
Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said he "transformed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world".
He said there would be a minute's silence observed at this weekend's races in tribute to the athlete.
Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s before switching to the CART championship in the United States where he was series champion in 1997 and 1998.
He returned to F1 with Williams in 1999 before heading back to CART.
Zanardi almost died in a horrific accident in 2001 at the Lausitzring track in Germany, after which he had both legs amputated.
His car had stalled in the middle of the track after a spin and was struck by another car at a speed of over 300 km/h (186 mph).
Yet he went on to become one of the best-known figures in Paralympic sports, winning two gold medals at the 2012 London Games and two more in Rio de Janeiro, four years later.
In June 2020, he was involved in another terrible accident, this time in Tuscany. He suffered serious head injuries and only returned home 18 months later.
Zanardi, born in Bologna on October 23, 1966, leaves his wife Daniela and son Niccolo.
M.Vogt--VB