(ATR) The funeral and memorial services for Muhammad Ali last week in Louisville, Kentucky brought visitors from all over the world to the boxing legend’s hometown.
Thousands of people attended the traditional Islamic Jenazah ceremony on Thursday at Freedom Hall and thousands more lined the streets to watch Ali’s funeral procession on Friday morning. Around the Rings was on the scene as the world turned its attention to Louisville.
People waited in the Kentucky heat for several hours as Ali’s hearse made its 19-mile route around Louisville, passing his childhood home, the Muhammad Ali Center and traveling down Muhammad Ali Boulevard before ending at Cave Hill Cemetery with a private burial.
Rose petals and crowded streets awaited the procession as it rolled into the cemetery. Ali’s hearse collected several bouquets of flowers throughout the two-hour journey.
After the burial, a private memorial was held at the Ali Center with family, friends and people from the Olympic Movement including IOC member Anita DeFrantz, Los Angeles 2024 Olympic bid vice-chair Janet Evans, Tom Virgets of the International Boxing Association and others.
A public memorial was then held at the KFC Yum! Center, home of the Louisville Cardinals college basketball team. Twenty speakers paid tribute to Ali during the three-hour ceremony including ministers of different faiths, Ali’s wife Lonnie and daughters Maryum and Rasheda, comedian Billy Crystal, sports journalist Bryant Gumbel and 42nd President of the U.S. Bill Clinton.
Each speaker told tales of a man who was beloved by all and who sought to end religious, racial and social persecution for all human beings. Ali will be remembered as one of the most influential sports figures in history, inside and outside of the ring.
Click here to view photos from the historic moment.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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