For this fifth EMCA birthday, we conclude our #70SportWays with a special story, the story of the basketball player of S.S. Lazio Abdul Jeelani

There are few people in the world who can say that they played for two different national teams, but one such person has from his first sport steps been a member of HAŠK Mladost. This person is Zlatko Šimenc – one of the few athletes who could choose which sport he would like to play – water polo or handball. In the end he did not choose but became great in both.

Nineteen Grand Slam singles titles, 302 weeks at World No.1 and an incredible comeback to win an 8th Wimbledon title at the age of nearly 36. This is Roger Federer.

Arguably boxing’s most celebrated athlete, also known for his public stance against the Vietnam War and his longtime battle with Parkinson’s disease: this is Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay): a boxer, philanthropist and social activist who is universally regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century

This story is a perfect example of the fundamental values of sport: fair competition, above all, and the ability to distinguish proper sporting rivalry from enmity: we are talking about Jess Owens and Luz Long

Spitz is one of five Olympians to win nine or more career gold medals. His record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics (1972) was not surpassed until Phelps broke the record at the 2008 Summer Olympics.