Former US president Bill Clinton has paid tribute to boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who is celebrating his 70th birthday, describing him as "something special".
He said Ali, who was world heavyweight champion three times, has shown unbelievable courage since being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 18 years ago.
"It took a sack full of guts to carry that Olympic flame up that ramp the last distance with his hands shaking in 1996 (in Atlanta), but he did it," said Mr Clinton.
"And it's taken a lot of courage to continue to go out, to be seen, he wasn't self-conscious. He's something special.
"One day when were together it hit me - and we have spent lots of time together over the last several years - the courage he has showed, as an older man.
"Struggling with Parkinsons he has shown a different kind of, and perhaps a greater courage than he showed as a young man risking having his body, face and brain battered by the shock of boxing."
Ali , who was born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, first came to fame in 1960 when he won Olympic light-heavyweight gold.
Four years later he knocked out the fearsome Sonny Liston to be crowned world heavyweight champion.
Ali, nicknamed 'The Greatest', regained the title in 1974 with a shock win over George Foreman in a fight billed as the 'Rumble in the Jungle'.
He then won it for a record third time the following year when he beat Joe Frazier in the 'Thriller in Manila'.
In 1999 he was voted the BBC's Sporting Personality of the Century.
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