Throughout my 48 boxing career, my belief in my abilities triumphed over the skill of an opponent. My will was stronger than their skills. What I didn’t know was that my will would be 49 even more when I 50 .

In 1984, I was conclusively diagnosed with Parkinson’s (帕金森) disease. Since that diagnosis, my symptoms have increased. If there was 51 that would strike at the core of my confidence in myself, it would be this disease. But my “confidence and will to continue to live life as I choose” won’t be 52 .

Early in 1996, I was asked to 53 the caldron (大锅) at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Of course my immediate answer was yes. I never even thought of what physical 54 that I had to 55 .

When the moment came for me to walk out on the 140-foot-high scaffolding (脚手架) and take the torch from Janet Evans, I realized I had the eyes of the world on me. I also realized that as I held the Olympic torch high above my head, my tremors (颤抖) had 56 . Just at that moment, I heard a rumble in the stadium that became a pounding roar (咆哮) and then turned into a(an) 57 applause. I was 58 of my 1960 Olympic experience in Rome, when I won the gold medal. Those 36 years between Rome and Atlanta 59 before me, and I realized that I had come full 60 .

Nothing in life has defeated me. I am still the “Greatest.” This I believe.

41. A. confidence B. intelligence C. recognition D. imagination

42. A. although B. while C. because D. unless

43. A. reaching B. losing C. winning D. running

44. A. dating B. jumping C. dashing D. shifting

45. A. possibility B. ideal C. interpretation D. chance

46. A. reward B. fame C. money D. statue

47. A. Any B. All C. One D. No

48. A. optional B. temporary C. entire D. instant

49. A. tested B. changed C. broken D. obeyed

50. A. succeeded B. retired C. quit D. lost

51. A. something B. everything C. anything D. nothing

52. A. defeated B. compromised C. blown D. disappeared

53. A. make B. send C. light D. see

54. A. ability B. challenges C. shortage D. symptom

55. A. overcome B. reach C. apply D. offer

56. A. taken over B. taken off C. taken down D. taken up

57. A. wonderful B. exciting C. interesting D. deafening

58. A. told B. reminded C. rid D. persuaded

59. A. tickled B. flashed C. crashed D. lighted

60. A. circle B. attention C. awareness D. distance