2016 Summer Paralympic Games
The front page of Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport showing Pope Francis writing a letter of encouragement to Alex Zanardi, Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Pope Francis is praising Alex Zanardi as an example of strength amid adversity as the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist recovers from a handbike crash. Francis penned a letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers that was published on the front page of sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Pope hails Zanardi's 'lesson of humanity' through disability

Jun. 24, 2020 05:02 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 file photo, Alex Zanardi, of Italy, rides during the cycling portion of the Ironman World Championship Triathlon, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Race car driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured again. Police tell The Associated Press that Zanardi was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Siena following a road accident near the Tuscan town of Pienza during a national race for Paralympic athletes on handbikes. The 53-year-old Zanardi had both of his legs amputated following a horrific crash during a 2001 CART race in Germany. He was a two-time CART champion. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Alex Zanardi has 3-hour head surgery after handbike crash

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 19, 2020 12:27 PM EDT