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When it came to sport, Nelson Mandela had the ability to inspire even inspirational figures and leave global stars completely star-struck. Airmax Italia Internet . The anti-apartheid leader, former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize winner died on Thursday at the age of 95, prompting a vast outpouring of tributes from the worlds best-known athletes and top sporting bodies. Muhammad Ali, himself a role model for so many, said Mandela inspired others to "reach for what appeared to be impossible." "What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge," Ali said in a statement through his foundation. Pele wrote, "He was my hero, my friend." Tiger Woods called his meeting with Mandela in 1998 "inspiring times." "Its sad for everyone who got a chance to not only meet him, but Ive been influenced by him," Woods said. Usain Bolt posted on Twitter: "One of the greatest human beings ever." The NBAs LeBron James said: "In his 95 years, he was able to do unbelievable things not only for South Africa but for the whole world." As much as sportsmen and women loved Mandela, he in turn loved sport and appreciated its enormous potential to do good. Nowhere more than in his own country, where he famously used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to knock down the last barriers of apartheid. "A remarkable man who understood that sport could build bridges, break down walls, and reveal our common humanity," International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said in a statement to The Associated Press. The IOC would fly the Olympic flag at half-staff for three days for Mandela, he said. Bach later choked up while speaking about when he met Mandela in 1996 and asked the former political prisoner if he felt hatred toward the apartheid regime that imprisoned him for 27 years. "His immediate response was no but he saw the doubt in my eyes," Bach said on Friday. "You dont believe me? he asked. I can tell you why. If I hate I would not be a free man anymore." Bach wasnt the only one to show his emotions. Gary Player paused while speaking at a golf tournament in South Africa to compose himself and wipe away tears. "When you think of a man going to jail for all those years for doing the right thing, not the wrong thing, its hard to comprehend that a man can come out and be like that," Player said. "He was an exceptional man, just exceptional." FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he and world football were in mourning at Mandelas passing and ordered that the 209 flags of its member countries at FIFA headquarters in Switzerland also be flown at half-staff. "It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine," Blatter said. From a cricket test in Australia to basketball games in the United States, and a golf tournament in the wilderness of South Africa, Mandela was remembered by players and fans across sport with moments of silence. A keen amateur boxer and runner in his youth, Mandela understood the intricacies of rugby, football and cricket, the most popular sports in his country, but even games and players the South African wouldnt have been familiar with were touched by him. "Nelson Mandela was one of the most powerful and inspirational leaders in the world and a great friend of the NBA," league commissioner David Stern said, "... and while we mourn his passing, we know that his legacy and quest for equality will endure." Sport was never far from Mandelas mind. He was there -- often the driving force -- when South Africa returned to the Olympic family, won rugbys World Cup, won footballs African Cup and earned the right to host FIFAs World Cup in 2010, the first in Africa. It was fitting that Mandelas last appearance for an adoring public was when he greeted fans in a packed stadium on the outskirts of Soweto ahead of the 2010 World Cup final. "When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd ... it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts, and it was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced," Blatter said. A string of Spains World Cup winners from that year and Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo all tweeted messages of condolence, with many including photographs of themselves with Mandela. Global superstars Woods and David Beckham both made a point of meeting him when they travelled to South Africa. Woods came out of his audience with a copy of the mans autobiography and Beckham was almost reverent in their 2003 meeting. "We have lost a true gentleman and a courageous human being," Beckham said on his Facebook page. "It was truly an honour to have known a man who had genuine love for so many people." South African golfer Ernie Els said that from around 1996 onwards Mandela would call him every time he won a tournament and they once exchanged gifts after Mandela visited him at a tournament near the ex-presidents Johannesburg home. "Ive still got that picture in my office in the U.S.," Els said. "He was just the most amazing person I have ever met." But Mandelas interest in sport wasnt just for the grand occasion and the photo opportunity. Recalling his first conversation with a still imprisoned Mandela in 1986 and away from the media spotlight, former Australian prime minister Malcolm Fraser said Mandelas first question was about cricket and the man regarded as that sports greatest player. "His first remark to me, after hello, was ... Mr. Fraser, is Donald Bradman still alive?" Fraser later brought him a bat signed by Bradman. Crickets finest batsman had written "in recognition of a great unfinished innings" for Mandela on the bat. What Mandela did at that 1995 Rugby World Cup final is one of sports defining moments and enshrined in the new South Africas conscience. By pulling on the green and gold jersey of the Springboks, the national team previously all-white and associated with the apartheid regime, Mandela signalled to all South Africans that they should unite. His presentation of the trophy to the Springboks blond captain Francois Pienaar provided a lasting image of reconciliation that politics just couldnt match. "It was our privilege to have lived in this country during his lifetime," South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins said. After 1995, Mandela commonly referred to the team that had previously been boycotted abroad for its associations with apartheid as "my beloved Springboks." Current Springboks captain Jean de Villiers said: "His presence at a test match just lifted the crowd and energized the team -- it is actually hard to describe." Even for New Zealands losing rugby captain on that famous June day in 1995, Sean Fitzpatrick, Mandelas effect was too momentous not to appreciate. "Afterwards, when we were driving back to our hotel crying, to see the sheer enjoyment of everyone running down the streets ... black, white, colored, whatever they were, just arm in arm celebrating sport," Fitzpatrick said. "He saw the bigger picture." Air Max 720 Italia . - The Green Bay Packers got back to work on Friday without star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Air Max Shop Italia Recensioni .com) - The Minnesota Twins made it official on Wednesday, announcing the signing of outfielder Torii Hunter to a one-year contract. http://www.airmaxshoponlineitalia.it/scontate-vapormax-outlet.html . Catch all the action on TSN starting at 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. Toronto won at Denver and Utah, but lost in Portland and Sacramento. The Kings loss was the most recent game for the Raptors.PHILADELPHIA - Nick Schultz makes a living trying to keep pucks out of the net, instead of shooting them.When Schultz does have a rare shot to score, the defenceman enjoys the chance to cash in.It must be nice to be a goal scorer, he said. They get paid a lot more, too.Schultz chipped in with a rare goal, and Wayne Simmonds, Chris VandeVelde, Brayden Schenn also scored, leading the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.Sean Couturier added an empty-netter as Philadelphia won for the fourth time in five games while trying to make a desperate run at a playoff berth.Schultz snapped a tie game in the second period with his first goal of the season, ending a 125-game drought. The 13-year veteran has developed into perhaps the steadiest defenceman on the Flyers, and his 28th career goal in 948 games was a reward for his grit on the ice.He knew his scoreless skid was a long one — just not 125 games long.Is that how long its been? I knew it was a lot, he said, smiling. I knew it was over 100. Its nice to get one.Steve Mason made 36 saves for his second win in two games, though his first as a starter since Jan. 8. He had been sidelined with a knee injury and got the win against Arizona on Tuesday in relief of a shaky Ray Emery.Mathieu Perreault scored twice for the Jets.You cant wait until late March to get going. Weve got to get some wins, he said.The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Schultz signed with Philadelphia in the off-season. He had 10 assists in 47 games this season and had not scored since he played for Edmonton on April 28, 2013. He had just five assists in 60 games last season.But Schultz was there to pounce on a loose puck and beat Michael Hutchinson, who had a shutout in his last start, for a 3-2 lead. Petra Straka got his first NHL point on thhe assist, and Ryan White also had his first assist of the season on the goal. Air Max 97 Italia. It just kind of popped out and I wanted to make sure I didnt miss that one, Schultz said.The Flyers held on — and held off Perreault — from there.Perreault scored a pair of tying goals in the first period. He pounded in a rebound and fired a slapper from the right circle on the power play about 8 1/2 minutes later for his 16th and 17th goals of the season.The Jets slumped the rest of the way and have lost two straight following a five-game winning streak.There are pieces of our game that arent really good right now, coach Paul Maurice said.VandeVeldes seventh goal of the season came when he knocked in a loose puck from a scrum in front of the net for a 1-0 lead. Simmonds scored his 18th on the power play for a 2-1 lead midway through the first.Schenn made it 4-2 on a one-timer early in the third for his 11th goal this season.Mason seemed fully recovered from a bout with the flu and the knee injury that sidelined him for six games. He settled down after a shaky first and stopped all 11 shots in the second and 13 more in the third.The injury hasnt been a problem, which is great, Mason said. I thought my game felt sharper than (against Arizona), which is obviously a positive sign as well.NOTES: There is still no decision if Flyers D Kimmo Timonen will return from blood clots that have sidelined him this season. General manager Ron Hextall said he hoped to know Timonens fate within days. Its certainly the most complex medical thing that Ive ever been through and its enough to make me dizzy, Hextall said. ... Jets D Dustin Byfuglien was booed when he touched the puck, a response to his on-ice shouting match with Flyers coach Craig Berube after last months game in Winnipeg. ' ' '

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