The ESPYs recognize outstanding achievements and performances by athletes during the previous year and include 19 “Best in Sport” categories, which pit athletes from different sports against each other, along with 17 individual sport categories and two sponsored awards. The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is also presented that evening to individuals whose contributions transcends sports. Additionally, the first Jimmy V Award for Perseverance will be awarded to an individual whose performance has evoked emotion and provided inspiration to the sports world. The 15th Annual ESPY Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and LeBron James, will be held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif., on July 11 and will be televised on ESPN Sunday, July 15 at 9 PM EST.

Eight of the 26 Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls selected as candidates for an ESPY award earned multiple nominations with ESPY co-host and Olympian LeBron James leading the group with four nominations. Olympians Lisa Leslie (basketball), Michael Phelps (swimming), Serena Williams (tennis) and Diana Taurasi (basketball), as well as Olympic hopefuls Candace Parker (basketball) and Kevin Durant (basketball), were also nominated in multiple categories.

For the fourth consecutive year, fans will determine the winners in all ESPY categories. Voting begins on June 25 and ends at 11:59 PM ET July 7. Fans can cast their vote at www.espys.tv.

Below is a list of nominations garnered by Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic Hopefuls.

Olympians:

Lisa Leslie (basketball, ’96, ’00, ’04)Best Female Athlete
Best WNBA Player

LeBron James (basketball,’04) Best Male Athlete
Best Championship Performance
Best NBA Player
Hummer “Like Nothing Else” Award

Michael Phelps (swimming, ’04) Best Record-Breaking Performance
Hummer “Like Nothing Else” Award

Diana Taurasi (basketball, ’04) Best WNBA Player
Hummer “Like Nothing Else” Award

Serena Williams (tennis, ’00) Best Championship Performance
Best Female Tennis Player

Carmelo Anthony (basketball, ’04) Best NBA Player

Tamika Catchings (basketball, ’04) Best WNBA Player

Landon Donovan (soccer, ’00) Best Soccer Player

Tim Duncan (basketball, ’04) Best NBA Player

Allyson Felix (track & field, ’04) Best Track & Field Athlete

Kara Lynn Joyce (swimming, ’04) Best Female College Athlete

Floyd Mayweather (boxing , ‘96) Best Fighter

Andy Roddick (tennis, ’04) Best Male Tennis Player

Sanya Richards (track & field, ’04) Best Track & Field Athlete

Dwayne Wade (basketball, ’04) Best Play

Jeremy Wariner (track & field, ’04) Best Track & Field Athlete

Paralympians:

Jessica Long (swimming, ’04) Best Female Athlete with a Disability

Stephani Victor (alpine skiing, ’02, ’06) Best Female Athlete with a Disability

Joshua George (track & field, ’04)Best Male Athlete with a Disability
and men’s wheelchair basketball

Casey Tibbs (track & field, ’04) Best Male Athlete with a Disability

Olympic Hopefuls:

Kevin Durant, basketball Best Breakthrough Athlete
Best Male College Athlete

Candace Parker, basketball Best Female Athlete
Best Female College Athlete

Greg Oden, basketball Best Male College Athlete

Monica Abbott, softball Best Female College Athlete

Tyson Gay, track & field Best Track & Field Athlete

For more information on the ESPY Awards and the athletes nominated, go to espys.tv.

For more information, please contact the USOC Media and Public Relations Division (719/866-4529). This release also is available on the USOC’s public web site (www.usolympicteam.com) and our media-specific web site (http://usocpressbox.org/).