Caitlyn Jenner to Retain Bruce's Olympic Record? Petitions, Reactions & What We Know So Far

By Nens Bolilan| Jun 07, 2015

Bruce Jenner, now popularly known as Caitlyn, can retain her Hall of Fame and other athletic achievements even if she has chosen to become a woman.

According to TMZ, US Olympic Committee spokesperson Patrick Sandusky said they would update Jenner's name written on the Hall of Fame for his 1976 gold medal and make it "Caitlyn." He added that Jenner would just have to make a formal request, then the committee will review it.

Meanwhile, a petition was started on change.org, calling on the International Olympic Committee to revoke the controversial Olympic medals.

Jennifer Bradford, the author, said that Jenner's belief from the start that she is a woman "was in violation of committee rules regarding women competing in men's sports and vice versa."

The petition went on, "Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that we must ask whether or not it is proper that Ms. Jenner should retain her Olympic records in light of this, as we must now either claim that Bruce Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner are two entirely different people (which we know is not true), or that Bruce Jenner was, in fact, a woman participating in a men's event."

"It is only fair to all involved that women receive their credit as champions of the Decathlon and that the men racing Ms. Jenner are not expected to compete with a superior, streamlined being such as herself," the note added.

The online petition has more than 14,500 signatures. The stated goal has been 5,000, AJC said.

Responding to the petition, the International Olympic Committee said in a Yahoo Sports article that Jenner won the medal in 1976 and there is "no issue for the IOC."

The Washington Post added that Jenner's fans should not be worried since the IOC has dealt with similar transgender issues.

As told by the outlet, the committee has allowed transgender athletes to compete against their chosen gender since 2004, provided they:

- have undergone sex reassignment surgery

- received hormone therapy for at least two years

- are legally recognized as their chosen gender

The former Olympian recently came out on the cover of Vanity Fair as her newly-found self "Caitlyn Jenner." ESPN confirmed that she will be given the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards -- her first public appearance as a female individual.

"The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is meant to honor individuals whose contributions transcend sports through courageous action. Sometimes that courage is demonstrated over the course of a lifetime and sometimes it is demonstrated in a single act that shines a light on an important contemporary issue," ESPN pointed.

Meanwhile, E!'s "I am Cait," chronicling Jenner's transition, airs July 26, Variety reported.

Though there are many people raising eyebrows on Jenner's transition, there are those who've expressed complete support, accepting the person she is now.

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