As a rider they called him ‘Spartacus’ because of his aggressive style and his refusal to give in. He was respected for his unselfishness for the teams in which he competed. And those are the qualities which Fabian Cancellara brings as the latest 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.
“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," said Cancellara. "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.”
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