Note: Though Jenner has come out as “for all intents and purposes a woman,” he has not yet indicated that he would like to be known by a new name or female pronouns, so this story uses male pronouns.
Many from the sports world expressed their support and encouragement for Bruce Jenner, who during a sitdown interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, came out as transgender.
“I’ve always been very confused with my gender identity,” Jenner, 65, said, in the “20/20” interview, which aired Friday.
“For all intents and purposes I am a woman,” Jenner said. “People look at me differently. They see you as this macho male, but my heart and soul and everything I do in this life, it is part of me. That female side is part of me. That’s who I am.”
Jenner, an accomplished athlete, won the Olympic gold medal at the 1976 Olympics for the decathlon. At the time, Jenner had also set a world record for the ten-event competition.
Jenner acknowledged those years and noted that despite being heralded as “world’s greatest athlete,” Jenner was enduring much more.
“A confused person at that time. Running away from my life. Running away from who I was,” Jenner, adding that he was “scared to death.”
When showed a picture of Jenner while competing at the 1976 Olympics, Jenner said, ““That is me. That is her.”
Many took to Twitter to show their support for Jenner, including many sports journalists and notables:
What Bruce Jenner is doing tonight is going to help a lot of people. Respect.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 25, 2015
I played Bruce Jenner’s World Class Decathalon on Nintendo as a kid & dreamed of going to the Olympics. He’s just as inspiring today.
— Adam van Koeverden (@vankayak) April 25, 2015
This interview takes guts an I’m proud of Bruce Jenner!I luv to learn something new everyday.Live ur life an b urself!
— Randy Moss (@RandyMoss) April 25, 2015
Wow #BruceJennerInterview ….Hoping everyone is showing love and support. Wishing him all the best! Everyone deserves to be happy.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) April 25, 2015
#BruceJenner stepping forward changes the game for so many people.
— Kate Fagan (@katefagan3) April 25, 2015
. @alanspringer & I worked with #BruceJenner on an Olympics-related project in 2012. He was genuine & great to work with. Do you, Bruce!
— Jackie Mesa Pepper (@Jackie_Pepper) April 25, 2015
I’m not a transgender but I understand how Bruce Jenner feel! #BruceJennerInterview
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) April 25, 2015
Bruce Jenner confirms he is transitioning genders, and that’s a great thing @sbnation http://t.co/7h6xYl49Hf pic.twitter.com/BLscI3QmhE
— Cyd Zeigler (@CydZeigler) April 25, 2015
Mad respect for Bruce Jenner. This is an important cultural moment.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 25, 2015
Once a Champion. Always a Champion. Congratulations @BruceJenner on being your true self! #BruceJennerABC pic.twitter.com/wxRuaPRrEk
— Athlete Ally (@AthleteAlly) April 25, 2015
#BruceJenner we learn from you to be courageous, funny and to be our authentic self. With love and Go For It!
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 25, 2015
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