Nelson Mandela and Sports

SI Staff | Dec 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela and Sports /

Nelson Mandela and Sports

2004

Mandela raises the World Cup trophy after learning South Africa had won the honor of playing host to the 2010 tournament.

circa 1950

1950-(circa)-Nelson-Mandela.jpg — Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Mandela, who had boxed as an amateur heavyweight, poses after joining the African National Congress (ANC).

1991

Mandela greets Cuban Olympic boxer Teofilo Stevenson as Cuban President Fidel Castro inaugurates the opening of the Pan American Games village.

1993

The Arsenal football team posed for a photograph with Mandela in Johannesburg.

1993

Mandela with Manchester United's Bryan Robson.

1995

Mandela presents rugby team captain Francois Pienaar the William Webb trophy after South Africa defeated New Zealand 15-12 in the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. When Mandela handed the Cup to Pienaar he said, ''Thank you very much for what you have done for our country.'' Pienaar replied, Mr President, ''it is nothing compared to what you have done for our country.''

1996

Mandela salutes the crowd before a football match in Johannesburg, where South Africa defeated Cameroon 3-0.

1996

Mandela celebrates with national captain Neil Tovey (left, with trophy) and Sports Minister Steve Tswete after South Africa beat Tunisia 2-0 in the Africa Nations Cup football final. ''In terms of what we achieved, that moment was important in the history of the country,'' said Tovey. ''It was two years after we became a multi-racial country, and we knew we had a role to play in uniting the country, that sporting achievement could do that.''

1996

Ernie Els and Mandela laugh before the final round of the Alfred Dunhill South African PGA Championship as Mandela shows the crowd a sketch of Els.

1997

World heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield looks on as Mandela wears Holyfield's gift, a boxing gown. Holyfield stayed in South Africa for five days to conduct workshops and advocate for the importance of education for youth.

1997

Boxing legend Marvin Hagler spars with Mandela. Hagler was in South Africa to be a commentator for a boxing tournament.

1998

Mandela and Tiger Woods spent some time together when the golfer was in the country for the Million Dollar Golf Challenge at Sun City.

2001

Lennox Lewis jokes around with Mandela at his home in Johannesburg.

2001

As promotion for the Special Olympics near Cape Town, Arnold Schwarzenegger autographed a rugby ball for Mandela.

2003

England captain David Beckham presents Mandela his own England jersey. England would play Bafana Bafana in a friendly match later in the week.

2003

Mandela lands a playful punch on the chin of former world champion boxer Muhammad Ali. The two were in Dublin to attend the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

2004

Mandela speaks at his Foundation offices in Johannesburg after meeting with boxing promoter Don King.

2004

Mandela holds the Olympic Flame as part of the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay.

2005

Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE via Getty Images

Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby meets Mandela during Day 6 of the ''Basketball Without Borders'' African camp at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg.

2007

Brazilian football legend Pele greets Mandela the day before his 89th birthday. The ''90 Minutes for Mandela'' match, which Pele attended, was played the following day.

2007

Former world No. 1 tennis player Boris Becker spent time with Mandela during a shoot promoting the 46664 AIDS benefit concert to occur later in the year.

2008

FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Mandela enjoyed a jovial moment during Blatter's visit to inspect World Cup preparations.

2010

Portugal's team captain Cristiano Ronaldo poses for a photo with Mandela at his residence in Johannesburg.

2010

Spectators at the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup thank Mandela for his influence in bringing the tournament to South Africa.

2010

Mandela is driven onto the field during World Cup festivities with his third wife, Graca Machel.

2012

Prior to the 16th stage of the 2012 Tour de France, cyclists wait behind a poster that celebrates Mandela's 94th birthday.

2013

Bill Kostroun/AP (2); Andre Ringuette/NHLI/Getty Images

The NFL, NBA and NHL honored Mandela within days of his passing on Dec. 5, 2013 at age 95.

2014

Derek Jeter greets Zondwa Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, with a framed copy of the Nelson Mandela plaque placed in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium before the Yankees game against the Cubs on April 16, 2014.

Published Dec 5, 2013

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