Never give up!!! - Zanardi wins two Gold Medals at 2013 London Paralympics

[rslonaker]

Zanardi, a real competitor and champion, cool to see him still winning races!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19493510


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[EDIT]

See here for prior thread on Zanardi winning New York Marathon

[dalyduo]

Absolutely phenomenal. Zanardi is an inspirational human being. Thanks for sharing this Rob. He's amazing.

Originally Posted by rslonaker

Zanardi, a real competitor and champion, cool to see him still winning races!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19493510

[rsr427]

I heard he passed a guy in the grass near Dingle Dell... some things never change!

just kidding


I don't even want to know how much his "wheelchair" costs.

[M3Perfection]

I hope I have a quarter of his perseverance....I was just sharing his story with some guys here at the fire station who don't follow racing last week.

[Slowhands]

I have a photo of the Z-man (that you posted a while back when he entered the NY marathon) on my computer desktop that, when I am feeling overwhelmed and pessimistic, I expand to the full size of my 30" hi-def monitor and meditate on for motivation, in the hope of somehow absorbing the power of his determination. His bike at the time looked like a Skippy car next to his current ride, his helmet was askew, his look was not "pro." But the intensity in his eyes said all you needed to know about his commitment and effort.

2 quotes from the article resonated strongly for where I find myself in my own life:

"When you are 20, you appreciate medals. When you are 40, you appreciate what you do every day.
"I enjoyed every day of training. I've had a magical adventure and this is a fantastic conclusion."

"Three years ago I stopped motor racing, at age 42. It seemed a stupid thing to do to drop everything. It was against all odds. But it's not the first crazy thing I did in life. In the end I was right. You should not chase pipedreams but, if you have a horizon to look into, happiness is just around the corner."

[cdh]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[GEORGE]

After watching the Olympics last month, and staying up very late to catch the action. I was in a discussion with my brother in laws LEARNED and Over educated Friends about the upcoming Paralympics. They seemed to know their stuff about who was going to excell in certain events. My sister is a Phys Ed teacher and the group thought I was crazy when I expressed my praise for Alex Zanardi and his hope for a medal.
When the group asked, "Who is that?" I replied, " A race car driver who lost his legs in a bad crash, and has come back to accomplish amazing things."
"Come on George! How can a race driver compete with "Real" atheletes?"

Fast forward to the Gold Medal announcement.
"How did you know this Guy was going to win?"

The car Guy in the family of "higher Degree" people gained a piont. Thanks Alex! You are indeed an inspiration to all of us.

George

ps; To my sister and her friends (who have never been to a race) Watching auto racing on TV is like watching rush hour traffic. And it doesn't take any physical ability.
Why do I get out of the car so Alive and Spent at the same time? I never feel that way getting home after rush hour?

discuss amongst yourselves.

[Slowhands]

Give 'em hell, George!! Great story.

[sydude]

Alex Zanardi captures second gold of Paralympics
Published on September 7, 2012



LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC - Alex Zanardi, former CART champion and Formula One driver, has won two Gold medals in hand cycling at the Paralympics in England.

Who said race car drivers aren't athletes? Certainly not Alex Zanardi.

The CART champion from 1997 and 1998 won yet another race at the Paralympics in England on Friday, capturing the 64-kilometer road race at the Brands Hatch circuit.

Zanardi won by just a few inches, holding off South African rider Ernst van Dyk in the hand cycling division.

The gold medal was Zanardi's second this week in the Games. He won the time trials race Wednesday.

Zanardi rode Friday in a pack of eight bikes and pulled slightly ahead of van Dyk, 39, in the homestretch. Zanardi won by 0.01 seconds.
Zanardi lost both legs in the horrible crash with Alex Tagliani in the 2001 Champ Car race in Lausitz, Germany. It was a miracle that rescuers saved his life.

[rsr427]

My wife (who's familiar with his story) asks "Where's HIS Movie!?"

I have a feeling Hollywood would do something stupid like cast Ashton Kutcher as AZ, and Anthony Hopkins as Mo Nunn...

[cdh]

“I don’t think, quite honestly, that I can do that because my life is in Italy. My son goes to school here. My wife is here and all my interests are around here. I would have to put everything on hold and come live in the United States again. To jump on a plane and spend a few days, a week or two is one thing; it’s another thing is to make such a life choice, you know?”


Double-amputee Alex Zanardi on racing the Indianapolis 500: 'My life is in Italy'

I still wouldn't rule this...some day