Zanardi eager to defend gold in Rio Paralympics

Paralympic handcycling champion Alex Zanardi may be more than twice the age of some of his rivals, but that hasn't stopped him from dreaming of gold at the Rio 2016 Games.

The 45-year-old former Formula 1 and American Indy Car series driver won the individual time trial H4 and the individual road race H4 at the London 2012 Games. He was also part of the silver medal-winning team in the mixed relay H1-4.

"I love Rio, I use to come over in the late 90s for the Indy Car race, which I never won," Zanardi told Rio2016.com.

"It was the same with [British track] Brands Hatch: it was a circuit I always loved, performed really well on, but never enjoyed the pleasure of winning a race there on four wheels. I had to go back with my handcycle to correct it.

"I hope it will be the same case in Rio, as the Olympic Village will be close to the area where they used to have the oval circuit on which I competed with my Indy Car. Isn't this a sign?"

The Italian lost both his legs during a motor racing accident in Germany in 2001.

He lost 70 per cent of his blood and his heart stopped seven times, prompting some doctors to give him little chance of survival.

"It took me one year to really complete a rehabilitation process where I could use my prosthetic legs efficiently," Zanardi said. "Everything else came after, as only then could I finally focus on my passions.

"I never considered quitting sport. Even in my hospital bed right after the accident, I knew I was mentally the same driver and athlete as I was before losing my legs. Of course, I also knew that legs are given to us by Mother Nature for a reason, so I had to investigate the possibility of using my talents in an alternative way."

Zanardi returned to motor racing less than two years after his accident before turning to handcycling in 2007.

While assuming the responsibility as a role model and inspiration, Zanardi says he prefers not be treated differently.

"I don't have the right nor the duty to feel special," he said. "Of course, because I'm quite well-known, I do became a reference point for people who suffer special, unexpected problems. When I was in my hospital bed, to hear doctors saying, 'you're going be all right,' was encouraging, but to hear the same words from an amputee who had already completed the rehabilitation process I was about to start, this was certainly more inspirational. I guess this is what I am for a lot of people: someone who suffered but came back to a great life, proving it possible."

He said he hoped Rio and its people could freely express their own identity during the Games.

"I have worked with Brazilian people many times and learned we're very similar," he said. "We like to act professionally, but with a smile on our face. I'm expecting these Games to be remembered for the joy, the colours and the positive spirit of the Brazilian people, in spite of all the problems they have to face in their daily lives.

"London left a difficult example to follow, but it would be a mistake to try to be better than the British by copying what they did. You have to be different, you have to be original, and Brazil is the country which can really accept and overcome this challenge."

Tickets for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will go on sale to Brazilian residents on September 7. Fans who don't live in Brazil can purchase tickets from authorised resellers on the same day. Endi