The US city of Louisville in Kentucky is set to rename its airport after late boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who was born in the city.
The announcement came just a day before Ali would have turned 77. The boxing legend who was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on Jan 17, 1942, died in 2016 at the age of 74.
The new name of the airport will be Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, officials announced on Wednesday.
In a statement posted on social media, 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
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer 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.”
