Caitlyn Jenner, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist and Keeping Up With the Kardashians star, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, unveiled herself to the world on Monday via the cover of Vanity Fair's June issue.
It was rightfully hailed as a brave move across the web, and now we know Jenner will soon be honored in real-life on a very big stage.
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ESPN will present Jenner with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on July 15 at its annual high-profile ESPYs ceremony, which is perhaps best described as an Academy Awards for sports. The news was first reported by James Andrew Miller, author of an exhaustive book about ESPN, and subsequently confirmed by Brian Stelter.
Jenner became an All-American sporting icon after winning the gold in the decathlon at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, well before again finding the spotlight on reality TV as the spouse of Kris Jenner, who is the mother of Kim Kardashian.
'@Caitlyn_Jenner to be honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 2015 #ESPYS on @ABC, July 15: http://t.co/mhnjvD50nk— ESPYS (@ESPYS) June 1, 2015
In addition to the Vanity Fair cover, Caitlyn also introduced herself to the world via Twitter:
I'm so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self. Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can't wait for you to get to know her/me.— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 1, 2015
Last year's Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner was Michael Sam, who became the first openly gay athlete to play in the NFL. The year before, it went to sportscaster and Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, who became an inspirational symbol to many while battling breast cancer.
The award was first given in 1993, when it went to college basketball coach Jim Valvano, who gave a classic speech on-stage just two months before dying of cancer.