In the wake of Muhammad Ali’s death, it’s hard not to look back on some of the greatest moments of his career. But one of Ali’s most memorable ones actually didn’t involve boxing gloves.
The greatest boxer of all time died Saturday of septic shock at the age of 74, and the sports world — and the rest of the world, really — has spent the weekend mourning Ali’s passing. But it helps to remember Ali’s accomplishments, and one of them happened at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta.
Twelve years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the three-time world heavyweight champ lit the Olympic flame at the opening ceremonies. Georgia native and fellow boxer Evander Holyfield was supposed to do the honors, but Ali was a welcome (and emotional) surprise, as current and former Olympians explained back in 2012.
The ’96 Games also were special for Ali because he was presented with a new gold medal after he lost the one he won in the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
That Ali could make Olympic history without competing in those particular games just goes to show how special a talent he was.
