Alex Zanardi transferred to rehab center after handbike crash

SIENA, Italy — Alex Zanardi, the Italian car racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist, was transferred to a neurological rehabilitation heart Tuesday, a thirty day period right after receiving severely wounded in a handbike crash.

The Siena medical center that experienced been managing Zanardi because the June 19 crash declared that the athlete experienced been produced but, in accordance with Zanatrdi’s family, did not say the place he was taken.

Zanardi underwent 3 sensitive surgical procedures at the Siena medical center to stabilize him and reconstruct his severely harmed facial area, right after he crashed into an oncoming truck close to the Tuscan town of Pienza in the course of a relay celebration.

“His scientific situation and very important symptoms have shown he’s on the street towards security, which allowed for the reduction and suspension of the sedative, and therefore the possibility to be transferred to a facility the place he can receive the required neuro-rehabilitation,” stated Valtere Giovannini, director of the Santa Maria alle Scotte Healthcare facility.

He “has shown remarkable power, which is a precious gift that he’ll will need on the new challenge starting right now,” Giovannini additional.

Zanardi, fifty three, who missing both of his legs in an car racing crash practically twenty years back, experienced been on a ventilator in a medically induced coma because the handbike crash.

The medical center would not say if Zanardi was awake or not.

Zanardi endured severe facial and cranial trauma, and medical professionals have warned of possible mind harm.

Zanardi gained 4 gold medals and two silvers at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics. He also competed in the New York Town Marathon and established an Ironman file in his class.

Past thirty day period, Pope Francis penned a handwritten letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers. The pope praised Zanardi as an case in point of power amid adversity.

___

Far more AP sports