Bbc sports personality of the century

At the height of his powers, Muhammad Ali was probably the most famous person on the planet.

His dazzling fighting skills and his astonishing self-belief - he was, after all, "the greatest" - meant his fame simply transcended sport.

Now acclaimed as BBC Sports Personality of the Century, Ali's position as one of the 20th century's most famous faces has been confirmed.

Three times world heavyweight champion, he inspired millions with his sporting prowess and his stand against racial discrimination.

In recent years he has suffered from Parkinson's Disease and the image of him shaking and quivering when lighting the torch at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 moved many of the watching billions to tears.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali won the light-heavyweight gold medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

But he threw the medal into a river after suffering racial discrimination.

Dancing style

He had won it for Louisville and Am