Death of Alex Zanardi, the condolences of Mattarella and Meloni: “Reference point”

Zanardi’s death, Mattarella and Meloni’s condolences

“His figure – continued the Head of State – represented a point of reference even beyond the world of sport and will remain so in the memory of Italians. I express the closeness of the Republic to the family”.

This is the memory of the prime minister on social media Giorgia Meloni: “Italy loses a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of transforming every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity. Alex Zanardi was able to get back into the game every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity and an uncommon strength of mind. With his sporting results, with his example and with his humanity, he gave us all much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride and the strength to never give up. On my behalf and on behalf of the government I address a touching thought and the most sincere closeness to his family and to all those who loved him. Thank you for everything, Alex.”

Abodi: “Extraordinary light goes out”

“An extraordinary ‘light’ goes out, a person who left his mark, a wonderful man and athlete who taught us to love life, deeply, intensely and entirely, in all its forms, even when he leaves only part of it: Alex Zanardi. Alex went beyond the ordinary, in speed, in the face of obstacles, between the life he loved and the death he repeatedly pushed back. Always”. The Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi he remembered like this – on X – Alex Zanardi, who passed away at the age of 59.

Abodi added: “Alex, an example of strength, dignity, tenacity, passion, generosity, sensitivity and humanity, an ever active witness of the daily and widespread Paralympism, so precious far beyond sporting competitions. Alex knew how to go beyond the limit, transforming it into opportunity, he faced every difficulty making it seem normal, he gave a face to courage and hope. Alex gave a smile to pain”.

Buonfiglio: “We are losing a great man”

The President of the CONI, Luciano Buonfiglioinvited the National Sports Federations, the Associated Sports Disciplines and the Sports Promotion Bodies to observe a minute of silence on the occasion of all the sports events that will take place in Italy over the weekend to honor the memory of Alex Zanardi, inimitable sports champion. “We are losing a great champion and a great man – said Buonfiglio – capable of repeatedly getting up in the face of life’s difficulties. My and CONI’s most sincere condolences go to his family.”

De Sanctis: “Zanardi an extraordinary character”

“Unfortunately we had been waiting for him for a long time, we knew the situation, but now he is gone definitively. Apart from the pain, of course we were prepared, the whole world is prepared. He was a character of great value not only competitively, but in the media. He was truly the one who projected the Paralympic Committee to the highest levels, he helped the growth of the Paralympic Committee, especially in recent years. And I had the great fortune and the great pleasure of having him as head of mission both in London, when he raised his handbike was emblematic after the victory, then repeated, and then in Rio de Janeiro. I remember the evenings, I remember many things. He was an extraordinary character. One of the few characters of great competitive and media value because he not only helped the Paralympic world, but he was a character who could be in any sector, also because he comes from the world of normo athletes. The president of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Marco Giunio De Sanctis, says this atAdnkronos commenting on the death of Alex Zanardi.

“He helped the movement a lot and could have played any role. From the president of the CIP to any other type of role, because he had great communication, had great skills, great abilities. And he was also extraordinary humanly. I say it sincerely, I have always said it, and I will always confirm it. It certainly could have been difficult for him, because he was not just an athlete. He was now 54, 55 years old when he stopped. And he could do everything, he could achieve any goal, he was already a character world level, so it’s not that he needed to be president of the CIP, but he could very well have done so. In fact, if he had been there I wouldn’t have taken the step and would have stayed at bowls, but I am a sincere and transparent person, in short Zanardi had everything to do anything”, concluded De Sanctis.