A few days ago, an entry appeared in one of my “History” feeds. It said, that on that day, in 1976, Caitlyn Jenner won the Olympic Decathlon.
I remember those Olympics very clearly. I was tuned into them like a 12-year-old little girl jock. I wanted to watch every minute on TV, that I was able, and my parents let me. I’d go out the very next morning, and re-enact the incredible feats I had seen, event by event. From Track and Field, to Swimming, to Archery.
I had to make believe on most of the events. But the crowds still roared.
It was the XXI Olympics and they took place in Montreal, Canada. And when it was all said and one, the overall winner was the Soviet Union, with 49 Gold, 41 Silver, and 35 Bronze. ( I had not committed that to memory. I had to look that one up.). The East Germans finished in second place. And the USA came in third.
Pakistan, Puerto Rico, and Thailand tied for last place, with one Bronze medal each.
As a sidebar, we had a wicked neighbor growing up. Her name was Lena Beaman. She would yell out her back window, every time any of us would play in our back yard. She’d bang pots and pans, and steal our balls.
Anyway, I was reliving the handball competition against the door of our garage. In real time, the Soviets won the Gold in both Men’s and Women’s. But on the day of my Instant Replay, the USA Team came out of nowhere and obliterated all the other countries, there on our driveway. It was a glorious thing to see. As I jumped up and down on the winner’s podium, showing my Gold Medal to the cheering crowds, Mrs. Beaman, clearly a Soviet Spy, yelled profanities at me. I reported her to the Olympic Commission who was inside fixing Tuna Casserole with Peas, for dinner.
But. Back to the Decathlon. I took special interest in this, as Jenner was making all the news on TV and in newspapers. But here is the thing.
It was Bruce Jenner. Not Caitlyn. Bruce was the Golden Boy in the spotlight. I remember that specifically.
I know the History Channel was probably trying to be politically correct when they ran the “This Day in History” feed. But in my mind, they got it wrong. At least, that is what I think.
I know she is Caitlyn now, and I applaud her for following her genetic gender markers. And while they are the same person, these days they are anatomically different. Bruce won the Decathlon. Caitlyn (69) is now a Trans-Gender advocate, living in Malibu with her partner Sophia (22), and they want to have kids. She seems very happy and I am happy for her.
But every reference on the web refers to Caitlyn as the Olympic athlete. So do I have this wrong? Those of you who know about Transgender issues, tell me how this works. Even if you aren’t a go-to source on Trans, what is your opinion on this?
As a side bar, Ian Millar, from Canada, appeared in the 1976 Olympics in the Equestrian Event. He competed in 10 different Olympics over 40 years. He is the record holder for most appearances in Olympic Games. That’s a lot of of going for the Gold.
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“One should always play fairly when one has the winning cards.”
― Oscar Wilde
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“You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do everyday.”
― Jason Mraz
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“I never lose. Either I win or I learn.”
― Nelson Mandela
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