Alex Zanardi: thousands of people at the champion's farewell. Many VIPs, in the church even the handbike of the Olympic gold medalist
Great emotion in Padua for the funeral of Alex Zanardi, the former racer and Paralympic handbike champion who died at the age of 59. Thousands of people flocked to the Santa Giustina basilica, arriving to pay their last respects to the great champion, an example for so many sportsmen around the world.
The funeral, kicking off at 11 a.m., is being broadcast on a giant screen placed in the forecourt of Prato della Valle, one of the largest squares in Europe, to allow everyone to attend. Zanardi had been hospitalized in a specialized facility for three years: his final journey started from there. The coffin entered the church preceded by the handbike with which he had won gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
As per the family’s instructions, there will be no live television coverage of the funeral, as had been requested by some local TV stations. A choice consistent with the utmost reserve held by his wife Daniela and son Niccolò.
Among the VIPs attending the funeral, the presences of Fabio Fazio and Gianni Morandi are given for certain. Also present will be the president of the Veneto region Alberto Stefani, who has decreed regional mourning for today and canceled all institutional commitments. Among politicians Luca Zaia and Matteo Lepore will not be absent. Among the sports personalities will be Giovanni Malagò and Bebe Vio.
The condolences for Zanardi’s passing have crossed every sports discipline. Even the Football Federation, at the invitation of CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, has ordered a minute’s silence before all weekend competitions, regardless of category. “The FIGC and President Gabriele Gravina join in the condolences for the passing away at the age of 59 of Alex Zanardi, inimitable sports champion,” reads the official note of the Federation. A significant gesture, considering that Zanardi, although not directly linked to the world of soccer, was a well-known fan of Bologna, his hometown team.
The tribute of Federciclismo, the sporting world that had seen him as an absolute protagonist in the last years of his competitive career, was also touching. President Cordiano Dagnoni wanted to emphasize how Zanardi had been able to go far beyond the boundaries of sport: “Alex has been able to transform the culture of our country, he has given joy and happiness to the people who were lucky enough to know him and hope to so many people in Italy and around the world. I believe these are the most important achievements, even more than his many incredible sporting successes. Without him we are all a little more lonely. What remains is his smile, an imperishable legacy and a spur to never give up, to look at life with the eyes and joy of a child.”
An emotional farewell also came from Mario Cipollini, who in the great universe of cycling had gotten to know and appreciate Zanardi. “It was great to have known you and to have struggled together,” the legendary sprinter wrote on social media.
We met the first time in a small children’s playground, playing with each other’s children shortly after we were sitting on the bench telling each other lives. Cipollini added, “In those days it was exciting to share time and listen to you. Rest in peace, and if eternity allows us to meet again, it would be nice to ride together with what fate has taken from you.”
