Kyiv, Ukraine, Mayor Vitali Klitschko.Photo: GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty
Kyiv MayorVitali Klitschkoreceived the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the2022 ESPY Awards.
ActorDwayne Johnsonaccepted the award on Klitschko’s behalf, calling the 51-year-old Ukrainian “a man who will tell you very plainly, that sports is part of the reason he is where he is.”
“Vitali is a hero, who has shown the world what courage truly looks like,” Johnson added of Klitschko, who remained in Ukraine during the event.
According toESPN, Arthur Ashe Award for Courage recognizes those who find ways through sports to make a difference far beyond the field.
A video of Klitschko’s life story played during the broadcast and retold his journey from boxer to mayor.
Klitschko, a former heavyweight champion boxer, has been a pivotal figure for the Ukrainian city since the start of Russia’s invasion in February. He helped defend Kyiv despite enduring a weeks-long siege of the capital. Klitschko has served as the mayor of Kyiv since 2014.
“We all stand together, and we’re highly motivated to defend our country because this is our home,” Wladimir, 46, said during one of the brothers’joint interviewswith the international press in March.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“It is a great honor for me to receive this award,” Vitali said in a statement to ESPN in June. “I am convinced that this is a recognition of the courage and inviolability of the Ukrainian people, who have been bravely resisting the Russian aggressor for more than 3 months. This is an award for everyone who defends the independence and freedom of Ukraine.”
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty
Another honor being presented Wednesday evening was the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, which famed ESPN college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale won due to his sports contributions and fight against cancer.
Previous recipients of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award include Muhammad Ali, Zaevion Dobson,Caitlyn Jenner, Billie Jean King, Nelson Mandela, Pat Summitt, and Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah.
source: people.com
