Top 5 sportspersons to play more than one sport

2. Alessandro Zanardi (Motor Racing and Paralympic Cycling)

Perhaps the most inspirational of the lot!

In 2001, Zanardi was involved in an accident that can best be described horrific and violent. In a cart collision with Alex Tagliani, his single-seater car was completely destroyed and so were both his legs.

It was to the credit of the medical staff at the track, that Zanardi even survived as he had lost three-quarters of his blood volume in the crash.

Most souls would have dithered in their quest to race after such a violent accident, but not Zanardi. The Italian returned to motor racing using a specially-designed car that had hand-operated brakes and an accelerator pedal.

He even won a world series race in 2005. He had previously raced in Formula One, but without much success.

But there was more to come from this courageous Italian. At last year’s Paralympic Games, his success captured the hearts and imagination of millions around the world.

Zanardi took gold in both the individual time trial and individual road race events along with silver in the mixed team relay. This was after he had taken up handbiking with the sole intention of making a dash for it in London.

This was Alex Zanardi – former F1 driver, kart racer, horrific accident survivor, amputee and now a Paralympic gold medallist.

Do you still not believe in miracles?