Hot! Muhammad Ali Gala Kicks Off Olympic Party Season

By JILL LAWLESS

The Associated Press

LONDON Muhammad Ali had been that superstar of any London nonprofit gala Wednesday that will trigger the particular Olympic get together year - even though with a gentle jog as opposed to a great A-list seep right out the blocks.

AJC sports blogs

Mark Bradley:Instructive win: Braves indicate their durability and weakness

Jeff Schultz:

Georgia Bulldogs:Change with heart? Richt issues assertion that UGA just isn't pursuing Penn State players

College recruiting:Georgia RB commits to help Ole Miss over Arizona State in addition to Clemson

Atlanta Braves:

Sports results and more

Scoreboard On TV Photos

AJC sporting activities video

Mark Bradley: On this Braves, their own desires and their lack of a strong identity

Jeff Schultz: Countdown: Comic relief, Olympic mudwrestling, UK urinal

Georgia Bulldogs:

College recruiting:

Top Atlanta sports news

Phelps fourth of july inside Olympics

Sheets gains all the perks 3 rd right to get Braves

Follow @ajcsportseditor

Brad Pitt in addition to Angelina Jolie failed to place in your much-anticipated appearance with the red carpet on the Sports for Peace fundraiser, exactly where work going at 2,500 excess fat ($3,900) some sort of head.

Sports results including Formula One new driver Lewis Hamilton, snooker movie star Boris Becker along with boxer Wladimir Klitschko, along with British celebs for instance rocker Bob Geldof went to the particular party and also dinner in the Victoria in addition to Albert Museum within recognition belonging to the 70-year-old boxing icon.

Becker named the pup "the finest located sportsman."

"From a great sportsman he became a peacemaker, your dog grew to be a international warrior as well as merely a spokesperson with the appropriate causes," Becker said. "He has have only a wonderful life."

Ali was the wedding of honor with the event, that is parenting dollars for any helpful Muhammad Ali Center and for research directly into Parkinson's disease.

Ali features fought your degenerative neural condition for just about thirty years, along with can make only exceptional criminal court appearances.

But British papers include described the first sort globe champion could possibly play a role around the Olympics starting ceremony upon Friday.

Maybe, said their brother, Rahaman Ali.

"There's a possibility," he / she said. "He helps make choices for the final minute."

Muhammad Ali won precious metal with the 1960 Rome Olympics any time this individual appeared to be generally known as Cassius Clay. He evolved into a divisive figure inside the 1960s United States following he or she modified to Islam and also refused that will be drafted regarding service in the Vietnam War that he / she appeared to be stripped connected with his or her heavyweight title. He remained defiant, regained this title and became recognized as, simply, "The Greatest."

Geldof, this once grouchy Irish music performer in addition to a good cause campaigner behind Live Aid, reported Ali has been the particular exceptional athlete who had created a difference inside the world.

" Muhammad Ali appeared to be greatly political, and transformed that total agenda," Geldof said. "He did that using the similar bravery he / she did in the ring."

_

July 26, 2012 04:51 PM EDT