Italian Alessandro Zanardi is responsible for one of London 2012’s most surprising moments when he made his first appearance at the Paralympic Games at the age of 45 and won two gold medals and a silver. He is an example of commitment, perseverance and courage. The former Formula One pilot and twice CART champion that had both his legs instantly amputated when, in 2001, he suffered a serious accident, discovered Para-Cycling by chance in 2007, the same year a young 12-year-old Brazilian girl suffered an accident that would leave her paraplegic.

Zanardi and Jady Malavazzi, now 18, live far from each other and still don’t know each other personally but they have a lot in common. Will power, determination, irreverence and friendliness are all distinctive features of these two athletes that have Para-Cycling as their favourite sport. But, while he reached glory in London 2012, she dreams of following in her idol’s footsteps and of making her first appearance in the Rio 2016™ Paralympic Games, with a place on the podium.

“Athletes such as Zanardi push us to always aim high as well as to see how much his dedication influences our results. He made history by driving fast cars and today he is becoming a Paralympic legend. I wish to become a great athlete like him”, said the young woman from Jandaia do Sul in the state of Paraná.

Jady started to play Wheelchair Basketball and to swim as part of her recovery from a serious car accident. She practiced both sports for two years until she discovered Para-Cycling in 2010. The following year she competed in the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara. It was her first international competition and the results were surprising.

“To be called up to join the national team was unexpected but even more so was to win a silver medal”, the young woman said. She studies Architecture and Urbanism at FAAP in São Paulo on a scholarship that was granted because of her sporting efforts.

Zanardi and Jady compete in the same Para-Cycling class, for athletes who use a hand-operated tricycle, called a handbike. The charismatic Italian discovered the sport seven years ago and felt the need to end his career in auto racing (he competed in the FIA World Touring Car Championship until 2009) in order to dedicate himself exclusively to his new passion.

“I discovered Paralympic sport by chance. In 2007, I was driving home when I stopped at a petrol station and met Vittorio Podestà, who had won a medal in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. We became friends on the spot. I got curious and a short time later I was in New York for a lecture that took place at the same time as the marathon. I had no doubts; I called Vittorio and registered for the race. I only wanted to participate, to have fun. I enjoyed it so much that I never stopped”, Zanardi said in an exclusive interview to the rio2016.com website.

Jady in action in a World Cup race in photo taken by your friend and athlete Eduardo Câmara

His first Para-Cycling experience was so exciting that the sport has been a part of his life since ever since. “Until 2009, I was still involved in motorsports. I knew that in order to be successful I needed to take Para-Cycling very seriously so I ended my career in auto racing. In life you must listen to your heart and that is what I did. I set 2010 as the year for my first competition season. In the beginning the results weren’t good but I had the courage to keep on training until I earned victories”, he said.

The first experience in an edition of the Paralympic Games is something Zanardi will always remember. “I remember all the details of each day in London. From the moment I left the airport and collected my accreditation for the Paralympic Village, every moment was incredible. I knew I was well prepared. I was at peace with myself. It’s not whether you win or lose that counts. The important part was that I knew I’d give it my all. Motorsports were the most important thing in my life. I believed I couldn’t be happier. Then came the gold medal, the national anthem on the podium”, he summarised.

On the possibility of competing in the first edition of the Olympic Games in South America, Zanardi was straightforward: he will do his best to be very fit during Rio 2016™.

“I competed in CART in Rio in 1996, 97 and 98. In one of these years I got the pole position and I remember well when 130 thousand spectators shouted my name. 2013 marks ten years since I last visited the city and I already miss it. In 2016 you’ll have the opportunity to show what you can do and I believe that in the Olympic as well as in the Paralympic Games you’ll be able to inspire a lot of people”, Zanardi said.