Muhammad Ali to receive Liberty Medal on Thursday

By Kathy Matheson The Associated Press

Published: September 13, 2012 11:56 am
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

PHILADELPHIA • Retired boxing champion Muhammad Ali is coming to Philadelphia to receive the Liberty Medal.

The honor is given annually to an individual who displays courage and conviction while striving to secure liberty for people worldwide. It comes with a $100,000 cash prize.

Ali will be awarded the medal on Thursday at a ceremony at the National Constitution Center.

Ceremony officials say the 70-year-old Ali has built a legacy as a "tireless humanitarian and philanthropist." They call him a fighter for religious and civil rights, and an ambassador for peace and justice worldwide.

Previous medal recipients include rock singer and human rights activist Bono, former South African President Nelson Mandela and former President Jimmy Carter. Six winners later received the Nobel Peace Prize.

© Copyright 2024 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.