Caitlyn Jenner feels that ‘old Bruce’ still lives inside her

Caitlyn Jenner: From Olympic Hero to Transgender Icon

Caitlyn Jenner, born William Bruce Jenner in 1949, rose to fame as a star athlete in the 1970s. Struggling with dyslexia as a child, she found confidence in sports. In high school, Jenner excelled in football, basketball, and track and field. A knee injury in college shifted her focus to track, where coach L.D. Weldon introduced her to the decathlon. In 1976, Jenner won Olympic gold in Montreal, setting a world record with 8,618 points.

“I was totally empty inside”

Despite fame and endorsements, Jenner felt disconnected. “There’s so much more to me than those 48 hours in the stadium, and I can’t talk about it,” she said. After the Olympics, she appeared in ads, movies, and was even drafted by the NBA’s Kansas City Kings, but later confessed: “Little did they know I was totally empty inside.”

Gender Struggles Behind the Fame

Jenner had long struggled with gender identity. “I look at women all the time thinking, ‘Oh my God, how lucky are they that they can wake up in the morning and be themselves,’” she said. During her Olympic win, she recalled, “I see a confused person at that time, running away from my life … with big-time fear.” Jenner later reflected: “[You can be a woman] and still kick butt.”

Family and Transition

Jenner married three times and had six children. Her first wife, Chrystie Scott, was “probably the first one to know” about her identity issues. Ex-wife Linda Thompson later shared: “My hope is that his transition will inspire others who struggle with their identities.” Today, Caitlyn is a role model to many, known for her bravery in embracing her true self.