Robin Roberts to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at ESPYs

Robin Roberts, host of “Good Morning America” and one of the first female anchors for ESPN, will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2013 ESPYs on July 17 in Los Angeles.

Roberts has twice been stricken by serious illness in recent years and just returned to the air last month after being treated for a rare blood disorder.

“Robin brings an amazing amount of energy, compassion and determination to everything she does,” said ESPN President John Skipper in a statement announcing the award.

“Those qualities made her an incredible asset during her time here at ESPN, and they have served her well as she battled the terrible health challenges that she’s had to face. Robin’s accomplishments in so many areas, as an athlete, a broadcaster, a cancer survivor and more, demonstrate her ability to shine regardless of adversity and we could not be more proud to honor her as the recipient of this year’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award.”

Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and battled the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome last year. She received a bone marrow transplant in October and returned to “Good Morning America” in February.

Roberts played basketball for four seasons at Southeastern Louisiana and is still among the team’s leaders in points scored and rebounds. She began anchoring ESPN’s “SportsCenter” in 1990 and stayed with the network until 2005, when she was named the main anchor for “Good Morning America.”

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