Alex Zanardi

There are plenty of people who claim to be heroes. There are plenty of people who claim certain people to be eligible for the title of hero.

People have their own opinions about who should be considered a hero, but if there's one person whose status as hero is highly and strongly undisputable, that one person has got to be Alessandro Zanardi.

The former F1 pilot and Indycar champion who nearly lost both his legs in a horrific Indycar crash almost 11 years ago to the day, has continued his inspiring comeback from his near-death experience, creating yet another remarkable chapter in his life by winning gold in handcycling at the London Paralympics.

Zanardi took up handcycling after completing in 2007 a remarkable return to motorsport - with the aid of bespoke prosthetic legs and hand-held controls, Zanardi competed in the World Touring Car Championship, winning several races, as well as tested a Formula 1 car and Indycar.

After only 4 weeks of taking up the sport, Zanardi finished 4th in the handcycling category at the New York Marathon. 4 years later, he would win, adding New York to his Rome and Venice Marathon wins and earning selection to the Italian Paralympic team.

Zanardi was a very popular driver when he was at the top of his game in the Indycar series in the late 1990s. However. his charming and relaxed character bellied a highly competitive and determined streak - the same streak that saw him crowned double Indycar champion in 1997 and 1998, and the same streak that has seen him through to his gold medal at the Paralympics.

Given the horrific crash he suffered and the daunting prospect of a massive life change and recovery process, it would have been easy to lie down and give up. Not Zanardi, who positive as ever, took his second chance at making the most of life gratefully, and set out to defy the odds and his now-handicapped body. Handicap would only be a technicality, even a passport to other opportunities to come out as victor.

And aren't we better for it.

Hats off to Alex! My favourite hero and one person I'd definitely love to meet one day.