As a rider they called him ‘Spartacus’ because of his aggressive style and his refusal to give in. He was respected for his unselfishness in the teams in which he competed. And those are the qualities which Fabian Cancellara brings as the newest member of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
The double Olympic gold medal winner was inducted at a fundraising event in Zurich, which also celebrated ten years of Laureus Sport for Good in Switzerland. Now retired, his passion and commitment will be focused on improving the lives of young people through the power of sport.
Fabian was welcomed into the Laureus Family by another Olympic legend, Nadia Comaneci, at the event at Dübendorf air museum, which raised funds for the work of Laureus in Switzerland.
Fabian, who has been a Laureus Ambassador since 2009, finished his career in glorious style by winning the 2016 Olympic time trial gold medal in Rio de Janeiro at 35. It was his second Olympic time trial gold medal, the first coming in Beijing in 2008, where he also won the silver medal in the road race. He has also won the time trial in the World Championship on four occasions.
He has had an outstanding record in the Tour de France with eight stage wins and 29 career yellow jerseys.
Among his many achievements, Fabian has had great success in the classics. He has won Paris – Roubaix three times, the Tour of Flanders three times and Milan – San Remo once.
Laureus Switzerland currently helps more than 10,000 children every year in four sports-based community projects around the country. In its first decade, it has helped to improve the lives of more than 60,000 children.
Quotes:
New Laureus Academy Member Fabian Cancellara: "When I was competing I was always looking for things I could do to help. Sport has given me so much, now I want to give something back, to disadvantaged or underprivileged children or children in general. Sport to me is the school of life. It teaches you how to win and how to lose, respect, discipline, humility and kindness. That’s why Laureus Sport for Good is the perfect match for me, as it is using sport to end discrimination and disadvantage. After my involvement as an Ambassador, I’m ready to get more involved and help where I can in the future."
Laureus Academy Member Nadia Comaneci: "Fabian is a great Swiss sporting hero, so this is absolutely the perfect place to introduce him as a new member of the Laureus World Sports Academy. His achievements over the years have made him a massive international figure and it is a great pleasure for me to welcome him into the Laureus Family. Even before he became an Academy Member, he has been very active on behalf of Laureus Sport for Good and I am looking forward to working with him in the future to help young people."
For more information, please contact:
Iain Clark
Press Officer
Tel: +44 (0) 207 514 2841
Email: publicrelations@laureus.com
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