MUHAMMAD ALI TO RECEIVE INAUGURAL JESSE OWENS OLYMPIC SPIRIT AWARD
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Sep 2016
The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has announced that the inaugural Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award will be presented posthumously to Olympic champion and boxing legend Muhammad Ali, considered the greatest heavyweight champion of all-time whose 14th round victory over Joe Frazier, another heavyweight great in the famous "Thrilla in Manila" on October 1,1975 is rbemembered to this day.
The annual award will recognise an individual who has served as a powerful force for good in society, inspiring others by "contributing to a better world, uniting people or leading a cause".
The award will be bestowed to Ali, who passed away on June 3, and accepted by his wife, Lonnie Ali.
The Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award was created in collaboration with the family of the four-time Olympic gold medallist on the 80th anniversary of his record-breaking performances at Berlin 1936.
As well as winning four gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres relay and long jump, Owens also set three world records.
Boxing Scene reported that one of Owens three daughters Marlene Owens-Rankin said "Our father believed in the power of the Olympic spirit, and felt that its capacity to spread goodness throughout the world has no boundaries."
She said "We are honoured that the USOC has created this new award in his name to recognise individuals for the positive impact they make on society."
Ali won the Olympic light heavyweight title at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and claimed the world heavyweight title on three occasions, in 1964, 1974 and 1978.
Ali dedicated his life after boxing to those in need, people living in poverty, fighting for racial and religious equality, and world peace, despite being diagnosed with Parkinson?s disease.
He spent time volunteering in soup kitchens and hospitals, and made goodwill diplomatic missions, delivering medical supplies and food to other nations.
As part of his fight against Parkinson?s, Ali joined others to establish a research centre in 1997 - The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Centre - located in Phoenix in Arizona as a resource to patients and their families.
Ali's wife Lonnie Ali said "Muhammad believed with his whole heart in service to others and in advocating for those in need, and he was always proud of how the Olympic Movement could ignite that flame and unite the world in so many ways."
She added, "I am honoured to accept the Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award on his behalf, and to encourage young people everywhere to harness that spirit and compassion to make their own impact on the world and to leave it a better place for future generations."
The award will be presented at the Team USA Awards, due to take place on Thursday, Manila Time, at Georgetown University?s McDonough Arena in Washington, D.C.
More than 600 members of America's Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic teams are expected to attend the ceremony.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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