After spending 27 years in prison during the apartheid era of racial oppression, Mandela became South Africa's first black President in 1994 and has since become a global icon whose legacy reverberates around sporting as much as other worlds. 

His most iconic sporting role came the following year when he was a leading figure in Rugby World Cup, the first major sporting event to take place in South Africa following the end of apartheid.

The tournament ended with the host nation beating the favourites New Zealand in the final in Johannesburg and Mandela, dressed in a Springboks rugby shirt and cap, presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to South African captain Francois Pienaar in front of 65,000 fans chanting his name. 

As Mandela suggested in his belief that "sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people, in a way that little else does," this was seen as a vital aspect of the unification process as all members of the "rainbow nation" united behind the team.

Mandela's most iconic sporting role was in presenting South African captain Francois Pienaar with the Rugby World Cup Trophy in 1995 ©AFP/Getty Images


Lapasset described Mandela as "a truly remarkable man whose wisdom, intelligence and sheer presence was a wonder to behold."

He added: "I am so proud that the rugby family could play its small part in supporting Mr Mandela's efforts to establish the new South Africa and that our tournament came to symbolise the emergence of a new nation."

Mandela also oversaw the FIFA World Cup being awarded to South Africa for the first time in 2010.

Indeed, Mandela's last public appearance was at the final of the tournament between Spain and The Netherlands. 

"When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts," Blatter said.

"It was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced - for him, the World Cup in South Africa truly was 'a dream come true'." 

Mandela making his last public appearence alongside wife Graca Machel ahead of the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and The Netherlands in South Africa ©Getty Images




Mandela's also played a role in Cape Town's bid for the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and although he was ultimately unsuccessful in bringing the Games to Africa for the first time.

He did, however, participate in the subsequent Torch Relay ahead of Athens 2004.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) plan to lower their flag for three days as a sign of remembrance.

IOC President Thomas Bach heralded Mandela as "a remarkable man who understood that sport could build bridges, break down walls, and reveal our common humanity".