Best International Athlete ESPY Award
The Best International Athlete ESPY Award is an award given to the sportsperson, irrespective of gender or sport contested, adjudged to have been the best or most outstanding of those born outside, or not possessing citizenship, of the United States who contest a major international individual sport primarily in the United States or a North American professional team sport in a given calendar year. From 2008 to 2009, the award was split into Best Female International Athlete ESPY Award and Best Male International Athlete ESPY Award. The award was discontinued after 2009, but was reinstated in 2012.
Balloting for the award was conducted over the Internet by fans from amongst choices selected by the ESPN Select Nominating Committee. The ESPY Awards ceremony has been conducted in June or July since the 2002 ceremony; all awards conferred in that period reflect performance and achievement over the twelve months previous to presentation, which may span one or two seasons depending upon the recipient's particular sport. The award wasn't awarded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
