It was announced yesterday that the Louisville International Airport will be renamed after Muhammad Ali, who was born and buried in the Kentucky capitol.
The decision came from a unanimous vote of the Louisville Airport Authority with one board member voting no, according to local media. Board members had been mulling the proposal since 2017.
Louisville mayor Greg Fischer applauded the decision after proposing the idea.
“Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but he only had one hometown, and fortunately, that is our great city of Louisville,” Fischer said. “Muhammad became one of the most well-known people to ever walk the Earth and has left a legacy of humanitarianism and athleticism that has inspired billions of people.”
Greg Fischer also tweeted: “Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but he only had one hometown. Today’s decision to change @flylouisville’s name to Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is a major piece of a broader effort to celebrate those deep ties.
Ali died in 2016 at 74 years old. He had a 56-5 record as one of history’s most profound boxers, including three stints as the world heavyweight champion. He also won the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. His heavyweight belt was taken from him because of Ali’s refusal to be inducted into the U.S. Army for the Vietnam War due to religious reasons.
Ali was also known for his activism and protests outside of the ring as he was for his illustrious reputation as a boxer.
The announcement comes just a day before Ali would have turned 77.
The new name of the airport will be Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, officials announced on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on Facebook the airport said its board “voted meaningfully” to recognise his legacy as a Louisville native by renaming the airport in his honour.
The airport’s three-letter location identifier, SDF, will not change.
via DAWN
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