Dantzscher said she met many fellow accusers in January at Nassar’s hearing—where the former physician for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for multiple sex crimes. Dantzscher was looking forward to the reunion, even if it would be emotionally charged. “The bond we have is not something I can really explain. . . . They are just such an amazing group of strong women and it’s an honor to be sharing this award with them.”

For Jordyn Wieber, the gold-medal-winning gymnast who competed in 2012’s Summer Olympics, the ESPYs experience was similarly loaded.

“It’s kind of a mixed feeling I have—this was something horrible that happened to all of us and is obviously a huge tragedy in our sport and in sports in general. But at the same time we’re receiving this award for the good that has come out of what happened to us, and the change that we’ve been pushing for to protect children in the future. That’s something to celebrate and be positive and happy about, despite all the negativity that we’ve been experiencing the past year and a half. . . . I never thought this would be a part of my life, but at the same time it’s like I said, a very weird mix of emotions—positivity but also anger and hurt and pain. It’s a very emotional experience to see all the girls again.”

During Tuesday’s rehearsals, ESPY executive producer Maura Mandt said she was nervous about the presentation—coordinating the moment was the most ambitious undertaking of her 23-year history with the award show. “I feel very protective of these women,” explained Mandt.

Wieber never planned on speaking publicly about her own experience with Nassar—let alone appear on any stage because of it. She had planned to keep her own allegations against Nassar anonymous, until she was inspired by other women reading their statements last January. “I felt like I had a responsibility and a duty to lend my voice. It was so clear how powerful everybody’s voice was, and how each voice contributed. In terms of the laws and the policies [in sports] that are in place that need to be changed, I really felt like I needed to fight for those changes. I knew that it wasn’t going to be easy and I knew it was going to be a daunting task. But I wanted to do it just because I love this sport so much.” Wieber, who is now a gymnastics coach at U.C.L.A, said, “I want to make sure that it’s safe for everyone to do gymnastics in the future so they can enjoy it and have fun and be successful at the same time. That was more important than protecting myself and staying private about it.”

Jennifer Garner, who met the survivors on Tuesday evening, said that she had been honored when asked to present the Arthur Ashe Award, even before hearing who the recipients were because the tennis icon and trail blazer remains “one of the prime examples of what a true athlete should be, in character and in inspiring others, in humility, in sportsmanship, and in excellence. So I was excited and ready to be a part of that moment, but when I found out that these women were being honored, I immediately felt overwhelmed by feelings of awe and admiration for these women who have already endured so much. They’re once again exposing themselves while harnessing their power in order to help young athletes everywhere.”

“The minute I saw all of them together in one room, it truly took my breath away,” said Garner. “When I had the opportunity to address the group, I just said, ‘I’m in awe of your courage and your strength. Thank you for being here and being here with each other and showing us all what humanity is about—what it is to be an army for good and for right.” Knowing how emotional Wednesday would be, Garner told the group, “You all have the emotions you need to have. I’m going to get us through this. I’ve got your back. So don’t worry.”