Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, will receive the 2015 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at July’s ESPY Awards.
The award is presented annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports.
ESPN’s Jim Miller was the first to report the announcement, and the worldwide leader quickly confirmed.
“Almost 40 years ago, Bruce Jenner’s Olympic success came as a result of strengthening both his mind and body leading to his status as one of the world’s greatest athletes, but the decision to publicly come out as a transgender woman took a different kind of courage and acceptance of one’s self,” the release said. “To celebrate that bravery, ESPN today announced that Jenner will be presented with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 2015 ESPYS Presented by Capital One.”
Jenner recently revealed that she is transgender in a very public manner by sitting down with ABC’s Diane Sawyer for a nationally broadcast exclusive interview.
Jenner responded to the announcement, per ESPN.
“In the past few months, the overwhelming outpouring of support from all over the world for my journey has been incredible,” Jenner said. “However, being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special. For the first time this July, I will be able to stand as my true self in front of my peers.”
The first photos of Jenner posing as a woman went public Monday, as she will grace the cover of Vanity Fair later this month.
Previous recipients of the award include Michael Sam, Muhammad Ali, and Nelson Mandela, but the most famous recipient is former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano, whose refrain of “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up” is still played today.
Thumbnail image via Twitter/@eonline
