Alex Zanardi won two Paralympic gold medals at London 2012 ©Getty Images

Former formula one driver Alex Zanardi is hoping the two Paralympic handcycling gold medals he won at London 2012 will be a good omen for next year's Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Italian claimed the individual time trial H4 and the individual road race H4 at London 2012 on motor racing circuit Brands Hatch and is planning to defend both titles at Rio 2016, even though he will be nearly 50 by then. 

"I love Rio, I used to come over in the late 90s for the IndyCar race, which I never won," Zanardi said.

"It was the same with 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 IndyCar.

"Isn't this a sign?"

Alex Zanardi, competing here in the 1997 edition of the Hollywood Rio 400 in Rio de Janeiro, is looking forward to returning to Brazil to compete in the Paralympics next year
Alex Zanardi, competing here in the 1997 edition of the Hollywood Rio 400 in Rio de Janeiro, is looking forward to returning to Brazil to compete in the Paralympics next year ©Getty Images

Zanardi, who lost both his legs during a motor racing accident in Germany in 2001, is in good form, winning three gold medals at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Para-cycling Road World Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland, earlier this summer. 

It has given him a big boost for Rio 2016.

"I have worked with Brazilian people many times and learned we're very similar," Zanardi, who was also part of Italy's silver medal-winning team in the mixed relay H1-4 at London 2012, 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."



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