A series of sports pictures that depicts a story line or single theme. 12 photos maximum per story. A picture story depicting the President of the United States, other U.S. politicians, or U.S. politics is NOT eligible in this category.
First Place
PATRICK SMITH, Getty Images
I Don't Need to Walk to Live: Johnny Quinn, 40, of Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania had no visions of becoming a professional bodybuilder as kid when his life changed dramatically 19 years ago. In 1998, while working as an auto-mechanic, a nearly fatal motorcycle accident paralyzed him resulting in no motor function below his chest. After a grueling first year, he began to get acclimated to life in a wheelchair and decided to go to the gym in hopes of counteract the muscle loss and weight gain that followed his accident. It was in an issue of ëFlex Magazineí where he learned about a novice wheelchair bodybuilding show. In 2010, he became the National Physique Committee Wheelchair Champion. Winning this annual amateur contest earned him an elite classification as only 1 of 23 professional wheelchair bodybuilders on the globe through the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) - the highest level of bodybuilding in the world. As a result, Quinn has traveled worldwide to compete on the most respected stages in more than 30 events as he chases the ultimate high of appearing on the Mr. Olympia stage - the Super Bowl of bodybuilding. Surviving a horrific accident, and forming a new identity in the process, he vows to himself and others to never give up.
Second Place
Matt McClain, The Washington Post
Cowboy Christmas: Every year after the 4th of July, rodeos are plentiful in the western United States. Known as 'Cowboy Christmas', participants can find a rodeo nearly everyday if they're willing to make the drive. Historically, rodeos began as a test of skill among workers on cattle ranches. The roots of this tradition is still visible in one of the many weekly small town rodeos in Colorado and throughout the mountain west.
Third Place
Jonathan Ernst, Reuters
Home Cookin': Alabama Sports and Politics: Mixing sports and politics is not a new phenomenon, but it reached a fever pitch this year. In Alabama, after President Trump excoriated football players for kneeling during the national anthem while speaking in Huntsville, people in the Deep South state -- from the cosmopolitan suburbs of Birmingham to football fans in Tuscaloosa to down home racing fans in Talladega -- showed over the course of one weekend how sports, fandom and politics are integrated into the local culture.
Award of Excellence
Jonathan Newton, The Washington Post
Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds: The chorus of Mr. Stewart’s Cheshire Foxhounds has echoed in the hills of the Brandywine Valley in southern Pennsylvania for more than a century. The hunt country encompasses more than 30,000 acres that run through fields and farms near the picturesque towns of Coatesville, Unionville and Kennett Square. The hunt, beginning in 1912, is named after W. Plunket Stewart, who bought up land and hounds to begin what continues to this day as one of the finest fox hunts in the country.
Award of Excellence
Patrick Smith, Getty Images
The World's Best: Coming off of an exciting Olympic year, track and field athletes gave it their all as they competed in the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium. These are the colorful moments that made yet another thrilling installment of these championships.