Runners react on social media to the passing of Muhammad Ali, “The Greatest”
Muhammad Ali, one of the world's greatest athletes, passed away on June 3 and leaves behind a legacy as one of the most well-known figures in sports.
Muhammad Ali, nicknamed “The Greatest” and considered one of the best athletes of all-time, passed away on June 3 in Scottsdale, Ariz. at 74. He was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. in 1942 and went on to become the greatest boxer of all-time and leaves behind the legacy as one of the world’s most well-known sports figures.
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Ali was admitted to hospital on Thursday for a respiratory illness, complicated by his Parkinson’s disease, according to the BBC and died late Friday. He was a heavyweight boxer and retired in 1981, winning 56 of 61 fights. He first won the world heavyweight title in 1964 and won Olympic gold in Rome four years earlier.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984.
Ali had the honour of lighting the Olympic flame at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, the site of one of the most famous moments in Canadian athletics history as Donovan Bailey won the 100m gold and the helped anchor the red and white to a gold in the 4x100m relay.
— Muhammad Ali (@MuhammadAli) June 4, 2016
He was the titular bearer of the Olympic flag at the London Olympics where Canada won just a single medal, a bronze in the men’s high jump.
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Ali was well-known for his memorable quotes, which included “impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it,” and “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” among many others.
Notable runners took to Twitter on Friday and Saturday to share their memories of Ali and how he influenced their athletic careers.
Chris Solinksy – Former American record holder in the men’s 10,000m
The GREATEST, motivated people to dream big, no matter what anyone thought. It didn't matter your religion, race, location, he spoke to you!
— Chris Solinsky (@ChrisSolinsky) June 4, 2016
Jared Connaughton – Olympian and former Canadian sprinter
As an 11 year old I watched Ali light the Olympic torch in 96'; it also ignited my fire to become an Olympian one day! #RIPMuhammadAli
— Jared Connaughton (@jncoolc) June 4, 2016
Justyn Warner – Canadian sprinter and world championship medallist
It's going to be hard. But hard is not impossible. #MuhammedAli #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/oTWvb656jZ
— Justyn Warner (@justynwarner) June 4, 2016
Charmaine Crooks – Canadian sprinter, five-time Olympian and Olympic silver medallist
#RIP #TheChamp #TheGreatest pic.twitter.com/n76z7FtV2q
— CharmaineCrooks (@charmainecrooks) June 4, 2016
Donovan Bailey – Canadian sprinter and two-time Olympic champion
#R.I.P. CHAMP.#THEGREATEST . https://t.co/Y0kD3x1HQR
— Donovan Bailey (@donovanbailey) June 4, 2016
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