Muhammad Ali lit the Olympic torch in Atlanta 23 years ago

July 19th,1996

Olympic light heavyweight champion, champion of the world three times, and historically forever linked to his most intrepid ring opponent “Smokin” Joe Frazier, the sheer power of Muhammad Ali`s incredible personality, his bravery in the face of adversity, his kindness, love and humanity more than match his agility, and the exceptional speed, accuracy and dextrous zip of his lightning punches.

Muhammad Ali`s great battles in the ring, will be remembered and marveled at as long as there`s boxing. But, his greatest, bravest and most remarkable fight was against Parkinson`s Syndrome. He was diagnosed with this cruel debilitating illness in 1984; however, his intelligence, spirit and determination shone undimmed, as brightly as the Olympic torch he held to light up the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

All over again, it won him the love, affection and admiration of millions, in a new and younger generation of sports fans.