Sports

The remarkable life of Zanardi, a 21st century hero who inspired millions

Image source: Getty ImagesByAndrew BenjaminF1 Correspondent9 Minutes agoAlex Zanardi was a 21st-century hero. He died at the age of 59. A man who inspired thousands with his unquenchable spirits in the face of incredible adversity. A man who inspired millions through his unquenchable spirit in the face of unbelievable adversity. His ability to articulate the ways in which he overcame his personal challenges helped to put them into perspective and gave hope to many around the globe. Zanardi said, “I am very fortunate.” “There’s a strong link between what happened before and afterwards, in the sense that i was able carry on to this new life. Against a lot. “I don’t think I am living a new life. It’s the same life. I have been able embrace and encounter things I would have never met if the event didn’t happen. “This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I am very comfortable with my new life. I have been able do many new things. 99% of them are probably directly related to my condition. After what happened, I was able to turn that into an opportunity. After a series of part-seasons with the Minardi, Lotus and Jordan teams, he showed intermittent promise before suffering a severe concussion at Spa’s Eau Rouge Corner in 1993. His F1 career appeared to be over until he secured a seat in 1996 with the Ganassi Team in the US-based Cart Championship Series, the most prominent of two Indycars series at the same time. Zanardi won two races his first year before becoming the dominant force and securing consecutive titles in 1997, 1998. Zanardi and the team never gelled, and he did not perform as expected. Williams released him by the end of the season. I am alive’Image source, Getty ImagesZanardi found a seat back in Cart in 2001, driving for a team set up by his former Ganassi engineer Mo Nunn. I am alive. Image source, Getty ImagesZanardi was driving at the Lausitzring oval in Germany when he made a mistake, spun out of the pits and onto the track. This happened in the final stages of the race. Alex Tagliani, a Canadian, hit Zanardi’s car at close to 200mph and tore off its nose. The crash was like a ‘bomb going off’, with a river of red blood flowing out. He survived for almost an hour on less than a litre blood. The expert intervention of Dr Steve Olvey and his medical team saved him. Zanardi spoke about regaining consciousness eight days after the accident. “I was surprised to feel, or sense, the highest happiness I’ve ever felt in my life.” The pain was unbearable. It was so painful that I can’t describe it. But I was still alive. Who cares about the legs on my legs? I am alive. It was natural for me to concentrate on what I still had. He was able to qualify for the race and this encouraged him to believe that he could make a return to motorsport. He signed a deal with BMW for a car with hand controls to compete in the World Touring Car Championship. He won four races in five seasons between 2005 and 2009. Zanardi focused on this and his success grew as the years went by. In 2011, he won New York Marathon. In 2012, he won gold in both the road race and road time trial at the London Olympics. Four years later, he repeated the feat in Rio De Janeiro, winning the road time trail with the road relay. Image source: Getty ImagesZanardi became a global celebrity and was in high demand. In the many interviews he was asked to give, he refused, instead choosing to speak passionately about the power the human spirit. “Sometimes, we forget what we’ve got,” he said. “I know that only one person out of a million could have survived my accident, and I am that one. You can’t even call me Superman. This sends the wrong message to people, who might think they can’t achieve what I’ve achieved unless they’re special. “Frankly I don’t believe the accident made me better. The same things are still there, but I have gained more knowledge and feel richer for having seen the other side. “I’m less afraid now because I know that life is full of both fantastic and bad things. It’s the combination of both that makes it so wonderful. It would be boring if it was only good or bad. “I’ve seen how wonderful it is to live and how strong men can be. We surprise ourselves every time we think ‘That’s all, it’s done’ and find inner resources within our hearts. “I have seen a sign of optimism in my own skin. Now I realize that the human body is a machine of incredible power, which has been totally unknown in many ways. Everyone has a hidden reservoir of energy that comes out when we need it. “Zanardi passed away on 1 May, exactly 32 years after Ayrton Senna’s death, a former rival on the track. In one way, it is a coincidence, but feels so much deeper. Zanardi was a hero for millions around the world, just like Senna. Like Senna, Zanardi’s legacy will outlive him.

Sports

Allen holds on as Wu dazzles – semi-final on a knife edge

The Image Wu You The You This Watch

Sports

US consortium takes over Sheffield Wednesday

Image source: Getty ImagesByDale JohnsonFootball Issues Correspondent2 May 2026 12:37 BSTUpdated an hour agoSheffield announced on Saturday that the US consortium Arise Capital Partners had bought the club. The group is led David Storch 73, who is an American executive with a background in aviation services. The EFL confirmed this news on Saturday and said it wouldn’t impose a deduction of 15 points on the club after its exit from the administration because this was “an incredibly complex and challenging for all parties. BBC Sport reported that sources told them that Chansiri, the former owner of the club, had either rejected or not responded to multiple offers. The EFL took this into consideration when deciding to waive the 15 point deduction. Wednesday will be under budget restrictions for two seasons, as part of “conditions to continue membership in the EFL”. However, they will still have the right to sign new players. Selling Sheffield WednesdayStorch’s son, Michael and Tom Costin completed the three-man group. Costin brings football expertise to Wednesday through Blue Crow Sports Group, a multi-club ownership and investment platform that has controlling interests in Leganes in Spain, Le Havre, France and Mexican club Cancun FC. Arise had set a 1 May deadline, aware of possible delays if the takeover wasn’t completed before the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) took control of new owner process on 5 May. David Kogan, chair of the independent football regulatory, said that this deal is good for Shefield Wednesday FC and the community who have endured a long period uncertainty. “Sheffield Wednesday is a timely reminder as to why the IFR was created in the first instance. The IFR will begin assessing new owners, directors, and senior executives of English football’s top five divisions next week. This will help ensure that only fit and proper people are allowed to own and run football clubs. The Owls were in administration since October 24. This led to a 12-point deduction. A further six points were deducted for charges related to missed payment to players, staff and HMRC, as well as transfer fees due to another club. Chansiri was banned from owning any EFL clubs for three years. However, the penalties did not affect the club’s fate. The majority of senior players were sold by Chansiri, or as part the administration process. Three days later, a takeover led Dunfermline Athletic’s James Bord fell through, leaving Wednesday in limbo. But Storch, the man who had been named Bord’s preferred bidder in December, returned and cut a deal. With Chansiri’s reign now over, and new owners in place to bring fresh hope, the club can look to a brighter future.Related topicsSheffield WednesdayChampionshipFootballEngland SportMore on this storyLatest Sheffield Wednesday news, analysis and fan views26 July 2022Listen to Sheffield Wednesday content on BBC Sounds

Sports

Usyk helping Joshua plot path to beat Fury

Image source: Getty ImagesByBobbie JacksonBBC Sport journalist1h agoUnified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk has been working with his former opponent Usyk over the past few months. The 36-year old has spent time with the two times undisputed heavyweight in Spain and Ukraine. “Fury has a great fighting style and is a dangerous man, but I see how Anthony works now and how he’s changed. “I like Fury. He’s my greedy stomach best friend. He’s an incredible fighter, but I want Anthony win – he deserve it. “Boxing great Usyk defends Verhoeven’s title fight14 April”Joshua’s warm-up defeat could scupper Fury’s fight’2 Days agoDua Lipa declines to perform at Fury and Joshua1 Day agoUsyk doesn’t expect Joshua to have any problems against Prenga during what he calls the “official sparring”, however, he has advised him on how to overcome Fury. Usyk said, “We will assist him in his training.” “We talk about boxing, psychology and strategy. We talk about fights and our fights. I say, ‘champ come on, don’t stop’. “Joshua’s last fight was a routine victory against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in December, but he has taken some time away from the sport to recover mentally and physically after being a passenger in a fatal car crash later that month that killed two of his friends.Usyk said he could empathise with Joshua because he has lost friends during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. “I said, ‘listen. God gave you another chance. Don’t stop, don’t cry. This is your life, pray daily and God will help you. “I will help you with anything,” Usyk replied. “It is hard, but I believe my friends are now like angels. “I pray for them every day – this is my life. I don’t what awaits me and my team in the future, but I will continue to work, prayer and help. “If God gives a gift to you every day, then be grateful for it. It’s hard, but you have to continue living because God has given you that. “Related TopicsBoxingBoxing schedule 2026 and results 19 AprilWatch every Born to Brawl Episode28 April 2024More Boxing from the BBCNotifications and social media with BBC Sport16 august 2025

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Higgins and Murphy locked at 8-8 in semi-final

Higgins took advantage of Murphy’s mistake when he failed to convert a plant to the right middle. He then enjoyed a run of 57 to edge back in front. The Scot then knocked in a wonderful break of 86 off the back of a brave long red to open up a two-frame advantage. Higgins took advantage of Murphy’s mistake when he failed to convert a red on the right middle. He then enjoyed a run of 57, putting him back in front.

Sports

Dua Lipa declines offer to perform at Fury v Joshua

Image source: Getty ImagesByKal SajadBBC Sport Boxing Journalist2 hours agoPop singer Dua Lipa will not be performing at the heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in October. It is unclear if the remarks were made in jest or not, but BBC Sport has learned that the 30-year-old singer declined to perform and is not expected be involved in the event. ‘Joshua’s warm-up loss would ruin Fury’s fight’1 day earlier’I couldn’t even feel my legs!’ – What it’s like fighting Inoue7 hour agoMusical acts have become a common feature at high-profile events in recent years. Rapper Eminem accompanied Terence Crawford into the ring to fight Errol Spence for his welterweight title. Oasis’ Liam Gallagher sang several songs prior to Daniel Dubois defeating Anthony Joshua at Wembley, 2024. The BBC has more boxing news. Watch every episode of Born to Brawl.