Larry Nassar survivors receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at ESPY

More than a hundred athletes who spoke out about badual abuse by Larry Nbadar, former doctor of the USA Gymnastics team and Michigan State University, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award ESPY Wednesday night.

"For all survivors, do not let anyone rewrite your story.Your truth matters, you count and you are not alone," said Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman accepting the award on behalf of the 141 survivors of Nbadar who were on stage with her. Olympic gymnasts Maggie Nichols and Jordyn Wieber, as well as one of the first women to introduce themselves, Tiffany Thomas Lopez, former softball player of the Michigan State University, and Sarah Klein, first known victim of Nbadar, were the recipients of ESPY.

"1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. These are the years when we talked about Larry Nbadar's abuse", has said Raisman. "All these years, we were told:" You were wrong. You have misunderstood. He is a doctor. It'll be okay do not do it. We covered it. Pay attention. There are risks involved. "L & # 39; s intention? To silence us. In favor of money, medals and reputation, but we persisted, and finally somebody listened and believed us. "

There was hardly a dry eye in the room during the emotional moment." While actress Jennifer Garner was presenting the award, all the public stood up to cheer the survivors

"Abuse, silence, victory. Abuse, silence, victory, "said Garner during a short video that was played before she awarded the prize." The cycle was repeated again and again for generations, but finally in 2016 he was disturbed. "

" For all the survivors out there, do not let anyone rewrite your story. Your truth is important. You count. And you are not alone. "

Tonight, Aly Raisman and her surviving sisters brought the audience #ESPYS to their feet. pic.twitter.com/0sVTI0wLUH

– ESPYS (@ESPYS) ] July 19, 2018

Raisman thanked Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who was present, for "honoring" the survivors' voices during the Battle of Nbadar, the first sentencing hearing in January. 100 survivors and family members read in court their impact statements of the powerful victim, who shook the whole country.

"If a victim of more badual abuse feels less lonely tonight then our suffering makes sense, "said Thomas Lopez Wednesday evening." The loss we have suffered over the years is almost immeasurable, but tonight we are here and we feel like we are finally winning. "

Klein added that the US Olympic Committee, USA Gymnasti CS and MSU "all placed money and medals over the safety of child athletes. "

" Talking and talking is not easy. Telling our stories of abuse again and again and again in the graphic details is not easy, "she added. "We sacrifice privacy, we are judged and scrutinized, and it is exhausting and painful, but it is time."

ESPN awards the prize each year to people "whose contributions transcend sports." Boxer Muhammad Ali, former South African President Nelson Mandela, tennis player Billie Jean King and trans activist and Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner were rewarded last year by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics.

Nbadar is accused of badually abusing more than 260 athletes under medical cover during his years of service at USAG and MSU He is currently serving three concurrent jail terms of up to 175 years for badual badault and child badgraphy. More than one hundred survivors and their family members made impact statements when sentencing. s hearings were present at ESPY to receive the award.

Raisman, a six-time Olympic medalist, spoke at the first Nbadar hearing in January. His words instantly became a rallying cry. "Larry, you realize now that we, this group of women that you have so mistreated for so long, are now a force and that you are nothing," she said. "The tables have turned, Larry, we're here and we're not going anywhere."

When the recipients of this year's Arthur Ashe Award were announced in May, Alison Overholt, Vice President and Editor ESPN The Magazine, expressed hope that this award would honor the bravery of all victims of badual abuse.

"They have all shown us what the truth of power really means, and by their courage they make change for future generations," said Overholt. "In honoring this group who spoke, we aim to honor all those who have survived the abuses."

ESPY producer Maura Mandt said in May that ESPN hopes that "this tribute will reflect the fear and admiration that these individuals deserve". In another moving moment, ESPN awarded the Best Coach Award to the three high school coaches who were killed in the Feb. 14 shooting in Marjory. Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The coaches, Aaron Feis, Scott Beigel and Chris Hixon, died protecting students from bullets during the attack that killed 14 people.