ESPN: Veteran amputee is not a ‘runner up’ for ESPY award because of Caitlyn Jenner
Since Caitlyn Jenner celebrated her transition on the cover of Vanity Fair this week, many supported her.
Some are less happy though that she is being honoured with the ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award, as rumours swirl about who was bumped for the honour to accommodate Jenner.
One rumour is that US Army veteran Noah Galloway, who lost and arm and a leg in Iraq, and later competed on ‘Dancing with the Stars’, was made a runner-up for the award.
The above image has circulated online
The tweet appears to have been traced back to one tweet by a Boston radio presenter Gerry Callahan.
ESPN has since confirmed that there is no ‘runner-up’ for the award.
Many have also taken to Twitter to say college basketball player Lauren Hill, who died this year after battling with brain cancer, should have been given the award instead.
ESPN issued a statement on Wednesday, saying: “The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is meant to honor individuals whose contributions transcend sports through courageous action. Sometimes that courage is demonstrated over the course of a lifetime and sometimes it is demonstrated in a single act that shines a light on an important contemporary issue.
“At all times, there are many worthy candidates. This year, we are proud to honor Caitlyn Jenner embracing her identity and doing so in a public way to help move forward a constructive dialogue about progress and acceptance.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also issued a statement saying there is “no issue” over Caitlyn Jenner’s medals, after a petition called for her to be stripped of them.
