WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama awarded the nations highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and innovators who inspired him over the years and helped make me who I am.Everybody on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, in ways that they probably couldnt imagine, Obama said in concluding an hour-long ceremony Tuesday in the White House East Room.The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, its security and its culture. Obama called the 2016 group a particularly impressive class.In the film world, Obama honored Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two of the greatest basketball players ever, were also among the honorees. Obama noted how Jordans name is synonymous with excellence.There is a reason you call somebody `the Michael Jordan of, Obama said. The Michael Jordan of neurosurgery, or the Michael Jordan of rabbis, or the Michael Jordan of outrigger canoeing. Everyone knows what youre talking about.Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross were recognized for their music. Of The Boss, he said Springsteen crafted anthems of our America, the reality of who we are and the reverie of who we want to be.Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and broadcaster Vin Scully. Of DeGeneres, Obama said she has a way of making people laugh at something rather than someone, except when I danced on her show. He said its also easy to forget that she had risked her career nearly 20 years ago when she came out as gay.What an incredible burden that was to bear, to risk her career like that. People dont do that very often, and then to have the hopes of millions on your shoulders, Obama said.The diverse group seemed to enjoy themselves at the White House, participating in a mannequin challenge before the ceremony, trying not to move as they were recorded on video.Obama said the people receiving the medal helped push America forward and inspired millions around the world. The White House said the president and his staff spend time considering a variety of candidates for the award, but ultimately, its the presidents decision.Posthumous honors went to Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.Others receiving the award included:- Richard Garwin, an inventor and polymath physicist who made pioneering contributions to the nations defense.- Frank Gehry, one of the worlds leading architects.- Margaret H. Hamilton, a mathematician and computer scientist.- Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.- Lorne Michaels, producer of Saturday Night Live- Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman devoted to numerous public and charitable causes.- Eduardo Padron, president of Miami Dade College.----On Twitter, reach Kevin Freking at https://twitter.com/APkfreking Nike Free Canada Sale . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Nike Free Clearance Canada . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. http://www.nikefreecanada.com/ . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Nike Free Online Sale . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Nike Free Cheap Online . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. One of the most heated debates of any Olympics? Which countries wore the best outfits during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony. Friday night, 207 delegations modeled their duds for millions around the world. Heres how they stacked up.The oh-no-they-didnt listSwedenSatin? Seriously? These ensembles gave us Xanadu flashbacks and an urge to put on some roller skates.CroatiaWe know this is an homage to tradition, but we have two words: Italian tablecloths.AustraliaOy, oy and oy. Its a rare feat when you can pull off any kind of stripes. This was not one of those moments.FranceThis might not exactly be fair -- the French team always set a high bar. But when the team walked into Olympic Stadium, someone blurted out, It looks like they are wearing some kind of Ziploc bag.ddddddddddddNorwayThe Norwegians took their Sochi pants and made jackets out of them!The A-listersArgentinaAs Argentinas Luis Scola shows, sometimes simplicity in an outfit is the best bet.PortugalAnyone else think of those 90s Gap ads? We did. But the look was casual and chic, like the vibe on Ipanema.CameroonThe personification of verve and dignity.Costa RicaThis is an outfit youd see on a runway. The hats put it over the top.IndiaFlowing, understated, stunning.NetherlandsEvery combination worked here. The jackets, the suits, all of it. ' ' '