Shevon recently competed on America’s Got Talent singing her original song Through the Good and the Bad to much acclaim. The story of she and her husband Jamie Nieto’s triumph over adversity after he injured his spine in an accident four years ago touched many across the globe.
Shevon, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child, expressed her gratitude to the IOC president Thomas Bach.
“Thank you to the Olympic Committee and President Thomas Bach for awarding me with the President’s Award and honouring the fight and path of an Olympian. Also, thank you to my husband Jamie Nieto for bringing out the best in me,” she said.
“Before you become an Olympian, you’re someone with a dream. Someone who believes, despite what anyone says or how small the odds are, that they can achieve their goal at being one of the world’s best.
“This task takes courage, determination, resilience, and an endless measure of fortitude. Achieving this accomplishment has helped to shape my life not only as an athlete but also as a person. This journey has prepared me for the most important race, which is life’s race. So remember this, it’s not about whether you win or lose, it’s about the lessons learned and the fight that truly makes you a champion.”
"On August 10, 2020, we welcomed the birth of our baby boy, Jaysha King Nieto. My world has now been made complete with this precious gift from God and the most amazing husband and now father @jamienieto," Shevon posted on her Facebook page late Thursday night.
Nieto, 37, represented Jamaica in the 400m hurdles at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece and at the 2008 Games in Beijing, China.
Shevon Stoddart married USA high jumper Jamie Nieto in 2017. Jamie suffered a spinal injury in 2016 which left him paralyzed.
Earlier this year, Nieto, who is now pursuing a career as a singer entered the talent show America's Got Talent singing her song Through the Good and the Bad, that was dedicated to her husband. Her performance was praised by the judges including the world-famous Simon Cowell. She was four months' pregnant at the time.
However, she eventually withdrew from the competition after concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus caused a delay in production as well as concern for the safety of her unborn child.
"After the first round, which was pretty amazing. It was one of the best moments of my life. I was definitely looking forward to the next round. Even though Covid was there we waited to see what would happen, but when we realized that the virus was getting worse...the producers, they knew that that would be a concern. They wanted to make sure that I was also safe and I was also comfortable. It was bitter-sweet. I really appreciate the opportunity to being on the show."
