Jacopo Lolli receives Alex Zanardi’s donated wheelchair after theft in Padua

A wheelchair belonging to 17‑year‑old Jacopo Lolli was stolen from the entrance hall of his building in Padua on 26 July. The loss left the young man without his essential mobility aid and prompted a social‑media appeal that quickly attracted thousands of supporters.

The appeal was picked up by Obiettivo 3, the inclusion project founded by former Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi. In response, Zanardi’s family offered Jacopo the champion’s own wheelchair. The donation was publicly announced by Luca Zaia, former president of the Veneto region, who highlighted the gesture’s symbolic value for disability sport and inclusion. The wheelchair will allow Jacovo to regain independence while awaiting a permanent replacement.