Updated - Ali Remembered as The Greatest

(ATR) The world pauses to cheer the life of Olympian Muhammad Ali.

The three time world heavyweight champ and 1960 Olympic gold medalist died June 3 at a hospital in Arizona, surrounded by family. He was 74.

IOC President Thomas Bach is from the generation of young people who witnessed Ali rise to become the world’s most famous athlete.

""The news about the death of Muhammad Ali has affected me and the Olympic Movement very much. Our thoughts are with his family. He was an athlete who touched the hearts of people across the globe, an athlete who was engaged beyond sport, an athlete who had the courage to give hope to so many suffering illness by lighting the Olympic cauldron and not hiding his own affliction. He was an athlete who fought for peace and tolerance - he was a true Olympian."

"Meeting him in person was an inspiration. He was a man who at the same time was so proud and yet so humble. As such we will always remember him."

Billy Payne was president of the Atlanta Olympics and instrumental in selecting Muhammad Ali to light the cauldron for the ’96 Games:

"Already an iconic figure, Muhammad Ali reaffirmed his status as a national treasure when he lit the Olympic Flame during the Opening Ceremony of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta – a galvanizing moment in Olympic – and Atlanta’s – history. I am deeply saddened by the loss of this great man and great Olympian who while visibly suffering from the effects of Parkinson’s, illuminated Atlanta and the world during that special Opening Ceremony. All of his friends in Atlanta love him and will miss him."

Janet Evans, swimming gold medalist and vice chair of Los Angeles 2024, passed the Olympic torch to Ali during the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Olympics:

"Muhammad Ali was truly the greatest - an athlete who transcended sports to become a global icon. He inspired me, and millions of others around the world, to be the best version of ourselves. Passing the Olympic torch to Muhammad to light the cauldron at the Atlanta Games in 1996 was the defining moment of my career, and a memory I will treasure forever, as much as any of the medals I won. As Olympians, our role is to inspire others to achievetheir dreams, and no person has ever lived that role more than Muhammad Ali. On behalf of all of us at LA 2024, we offer our deepest condolences to Muhammad's family and friends. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will forever endure".

Nino Benvenuti, now 78, won the middleweight gold medal for Italy at the 1960 Olympics:

"He was the greatest ever because he had not only attributes for boxers, but he was also one outstanding athlete, a superman. In the ring he had all facets of boxing and a perfect body for this sport. He also had a head full of inventive thoughts and ideas and new things to show at every meeting. "

U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun:

"The USOC is deeply saddened to hear that the sports world has lost one of its most iconic figures in Muhammad Ali. As we reflect his accomplishments and victories, we are proud to call Ali not only a member of Team USA, but an Olympic champion. With unparalleled grit and determination, he left a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Americans for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time."

CONI President Giovanni Malagò:

" The Italian Olympic Committee pays tribute to Mohammad Alì. His legend began at Rome 1960 and Rome wants remember him with affection that has always had for this great hero. He was the greatest of all time. He gave us unbelievable emotions that we will keep forever in our hearts. Thanks Alì. We’ll never forget you!"

Rome 2024 president Luca di Montezemolo:

"Muhammad Ali is not only a sports legend‎ but also a big and outstanding man, whose overall values transcend his fantastic boxing career. We will always remember him also for his full commitment to the values of equity and brotherhood. We're proud he started his unique an unrivalled career winning the Olympic boxing gold medal in Rome 1960, a story that still brings emotions to me very much. He'll be "The Greatest" to all of us. Forever. "

C.K. Wu, president of international boxing federation AIBA:

"He will always be remembered for his unique achievements in the ring, but also for the battles he overcame outside the ring as he fought endlessly for his beliefs and values. He has changed our sport in so many ways, becoming an icon for the generations who have engaged in boxing because of his remarkable achievements and skill, but also his charisma and personality.

"He has transcended boxing to be forever called "The Greatest". My sincere condolences and prayers go to his family at this most incredibly sad of times."

ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah:

"From winning gold at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games, to becoming world heavyweight champion on three separate occasions, his exceptional achievements went far beyond the boxing ring. He promoted peace and tolerance and made a huge contribution to creating a better world for all of us. He continued to bring joy to the world long after he retired from sport and showed tremendous courage in carrying out inspirational charity work when seriously ill. Just as he lit the Olympic cauldron at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, his memory and legacy will continue to burn brightly in the hearts and minds of us all."

Don Porter is honorary president of the International Softball Federation:'

"The death of Muhammad Ali brings back memories of the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, and seeing him stride with difficulty but, with determination to light the Olympic flame during Opening Ceremonies. Meeting him was a thrill just for the moment, along with President Clinton, he mentioned about "never giving up", and that of course brings to mind that Softball, initiated its Olympic participation in Atlanta, 20 years this July.

The "not giving up" was echoed years later in meeting Nelson Mandela in Lausanne, Switzerland, and he also mentioned "not giving up", he didn’t. Well the announcement this week by the International Olympic Committee executive board that Softball and Baseball have been recommended to return to the Games in Tokyo in 2020, was all part of "never giving up". Ali and Mandela certainly set an example."

Written by Ed Hula.