MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- USA TODAY, the nation's top-selling print newspaper, has published a 64-page, tabloid-sized special edition entitled "Ali: Celebrating 50 years on the world stage." The special edition honors the anniversary of a young Cassius Clay's 1960 Olympic gold win, follows a 50-year career of athletic and personal greatness and examines what Muhammad Ali means to the world today in a series of personal essays from contributors including President Barack Obama. Retailing for $4.95, the special edition is available on newsstands everywhere and online at ali.usatoday.com.

"Ali: Celebrating 50 years on the world stage" opens with several essays on "What Ali means to me." President Barack Obama contributes to this effort with a piece that examines "The man who believes real success comes when we rise after we fall." Other essays are provided by Muhammad Ali's daughter Rasheda Ali, NBA Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Charles Barkley, photographer and Ali's best friend Howard Bingham, actor and comedian Billy Crystal and Sen. Orrin Hatch. The special edition also looks at Ali today, who 25 years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's, lives a quiet and peaceful existence in Arizona with his wife and sister-in-law who try to keep up with his voracious appetite, surprising physical regimen and inspiring attitude towards life.

The special edition examines Ali's career and life through the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and today. From when young Cassius Clay took up boxing at the age of 12 after his bike was stolen; his life growing up in segregated Louisville, Ky.; his 1960 Olympic win; Clay's transition to Muhammad Ali, the Black Muslims and his refusal to answer the military draft; his becoming world heavyweight champion with an upset win over Sonny Liston; the Ali-Frazier fights, including the Fight of the Century and the Thrilla in Manila; his life with Parkinson's; the lighting of the torch at the 1996 Olympics; and a look at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, a cultural and education center that opened in 2005 to help spread his ideals.

The special edition features commentary from boxing legends over the ages including: Don King, legendary boxing promoter; Bert Sugar, who covered the Ali-Frazier fights; Ken Norton, who broke Ali's jaw in 1973; George Foreman, who lost to Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle; Joe Frazier, the fighter who believes he won all three matches with Ali and is tied to the man forever; Leon Spinks, the young heavyweight and former Olympic gold medalist who upset an aging Ali, lost it all and has made his way back from drugs and homelessness; Larry Holmes, longtime heavyweight champion and Ali's former sparring partner; Ali's longtime trainer Angelo Dundee; and Ferdie Pacheco, Ali's fight physician who quit after a damaged Ali refused to stop boxing.

"Ali: Celebrating 50 years on the world stage" also offers several pullout posters: Three color prints from LeRoy Neiman, the USA's premier artist of sports figures; and a reverse black and white poster featuring where Ali and Joe Frazier rank in a list of Top 10 heavyweights and Top 10 boxers from the top fight historian Bert Sugar. In addition, there is a fight chronology with a full rundown of Ali's 56-5 record as a pro, with fight details and a where-are-they-now for some of his opponents. On USATODAY.com, check out video coverage of Muhammad Ali, with Angelo Dundee, Ferdie Pacheco, Bert Sugar and USA TODAY Sports Reporter Jon Saraceno giving unique insights into Ali as a fighter, the persona, social icon and Ali today.

USA TODAY was founded in 1982 with a mission to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Through its flagship newspaper and popular Web site, USA TODAY engages the national conversation and connects readers online through social media applications. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with a total average daily print circulation of nearly 1.9 million, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper Web site which launched in 1995, reach a combined 5.8 million readers daily. The USA TODAY news and information brand also includes: USA TODAY Education, USA TODAY LIVE, USA TODAY Mobile, and USA TODAY Sports Weekly. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI - News).