LOS ANGELES, CA (July 16, 2025) – Noah Elliott, 2018 Paralympic gold medalist, three-time world champion and back-to-back overall and banked slalom Crystal Globe winner, won the 2025 ESPY for “Best Athlete with a Disability” at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, California. The ESPY Awards, short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, are often referred to as the ‘Oscars of Sports’ and are an annual award show that honors the best athletes and moments in sports. This is Elliott’s first ESPY win and first nomination. 

Elliott is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, taking home two FIS Para snowboard Crystal Globes, two World Championship medals and a 100% win rate in World Cup banked slalom events. The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team athlete’s impressive 2024-25 season included eight World Cup podiums and five wins across snowboard cross and banked slalom disciplines, helping him to take home two FIS Crystal Globes, including the overall, marking him as the #1 male Para snowboarder in the world in the LL1 classification. 

Elliott, who had his left leg amputated after a battle with cancer, was first named to the U.S. national team in 2016, just a year after he strapped into a snowboard for the first time after being inspired by the Sochi Paralympics. His talent was evident from the start and he was named to his first Paralympic Team USA in 2018. In the Pyeongchang Paralympic Winter Games, he brought home two medals: gold in banked slalom and bronze in snowboard cross. Less than a year later, Elliott was back on the podium, taking home his first World Championship medals – gold, silver and bronze. Since then, he has earned an additional six World Championship medals and was named to the Paralympic team in 2022.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” said Elliott. “This is such an achievement. To be here representing adaptive sports and Para snowboard community–I couldn’t be more proud.”

Elliott also took a moment to address the adaptive community on ESPN when he was presented his award. “I want you to know that I am a survivor and you can be one too, and there can be a life past cancer or disability,” he said. “Just continue to get out there and put your best foot forward and try to continue to strive to be the best you can be.”

“We are thrilled for Noah’s first ESPY win,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Noah has achieved a great deal in his sport and is a best-in-class athlete on and off the snow. His dedication to Para snowboarding is incredible to watch and I am so proud to have him recognized on this stage of sport.”

Elliott was nominated alongside Para triathlon athlete Grace Norman and Para track and field athletes Ezra Frech and Tatyana McFadden. 

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Lindsey Vonn was also nominated, under the category of Best Comeback Athlete. Vonn has four career ESPY wins. 

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Lindsey Vonn and U.S. Toyota Para Snowboard Team athlete Noah Elliott were nominated for an Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) award in the categories of “Best Comeback” and “Best Athlete with a Disability” formally announced on June 26, 2025. The ESPY awards are an annual sports award show that highlights the best athletes, teams and change-makers in sports, ranging from basketball, football, soccer to Olympic sports like gymnastics, track & field and more. This year, athletes nominated include Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark, Josh Allen, A'ja Wilson, among several other notable athletes. 

Vonn Nominated for "Best Comeback"

In the "Best Comeback" category, Vonn was nominated alongside Mallory Swanson of the U.S. Womens National Soccer Team, Gabe Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche, gymnist and Olympian Suni Lee. This 2025-26 season, Vonn came out of retirement after six seasons away from the sport of alpine ski racing. Vonn completed her comeback season on a high when she claimed her 138th World Cup podium on home snow at the Stifel Sun Valley Finals in super-G. Not only did Vonn reclaim her momentum on the course but she marked a new record - oldest female skier to stand on the podium in alpine skiing. Vonn is one of the most decorated alpine skiers of all time, with three Olympic gold medals, including a gold and two bronze medals. She holds the record for the most FIS Crystal Globes won by an alpine athlete and is also a eight-time World Championship medalist. 

Vonn is a past ESPY winner and if she were to be called on stage this July, this would mark her fifth ESPY win. Vonn holds four ESPYs in “Best Female Athlete,” “Best U.S. Female Olympian,” and “Best Moment”. 

Elliott Nominated for "Best Athlete with a Disability"

For Elliott of the Toyota U.S. Para snowboard Team, the ESPY nod shows that many tuned into his historic season. Elliott is nominated for the title of "Best Athlete with a Disability", alongside Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech of the Track & Field team, track athlete Tatyana McFadden and Paratriathlete Grace Norman. Elliott, a Paralympic gold medalist and four-time World Championships medalist, is at the top of his game and is going into the Paralympic season ready to defend his title, and is doing this with momentum from the 2024-25 season, where he came out on top, claiming the FIS overall Crystal Globe. 

The ESPY Awards, known as the "Oscars of Sports," celebrate the best of the best in the world of athletics. Each year, athletes from various sports disciplines are recognized for their exceptional performances and contributions to the sporting world. 

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