Double Olympic champion Mo Farah reflected on "a sad day for all sports" following the death of iconic boxer Muhammad Ali.

Distance runner Farah spoke at a press conference on Saturday ahead of this weekend's Diamond League meeting in Birmingham, hours after news of Ali's passing - at the age of 74 - had broken.

Expressing his admiration for the fighter widely known as 'The Greatest', Farah said: "It's a sad day for all sports, not just in boxing, but for every sport.

"He was an icon, I grew up watching him and he was one of my heroes.

"I've watched most of the news. I heard a little bit before I went to bed and when I woke up my heart just sank.

"My respects go to his family. We have lost a legend."

Farah added of Ali: "It was amazing what he did, he made it look easy. The way he thought of life, he stood up for what he believed and some of the quotes that he used are still used.

"He was just incredible and growing up and seeing this guy. I don't know how to describe it. I get emotional thinking about it now."