SI profiles Caitlyn/Bruce Jenner’s ’76 decathlon Gold run


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Michelle Clancy

| 02 June 2016




Before Bruce was Cait, one man passed the highest bar for physical excellence, shattering records across not one, not five, but ten difficult track-and-field events.



Jenner CollageIn honour of this achievement, unsurpassed since, Sports Illustrated has announced a multi-platform, 40th anniversary retrospective of Bruce Jenner’s Gold Medal-winning Olympic decathlon performance.

Now known as Caitlyn Jenner, the transgendered hero captured the hearts and minds of all Americans during the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, spawning millions of collectible Wheaties boxes.

SI Films will premiere its look at Jenner's athletic journey on 6 June on SI.com, and will continue with a long-form digital package and magazine cover story to be released on 8 June.

Jenner, as Caitlyn, gave SI senior writer Tim Layden exclusive and extensive access, sharing her perspective and the journey that led her to the gold medal performance. She also spoke openly about the legacy of winning the gold medal and its impact on her journey as a transgender woman in the public eye.

SI and Jenner travelled to key locations on the Olympian's path, walking the track at the University of Oregon, where she qualified for her first Olympics in 1972, and also visiting San Jose City College, where she trained for the ’76 Olympic Games. During these conversations and through interviews conducted at her Malibu home, Jenner offered candid reflections of the games and what it meant to be an Olympic champion.

This is the latest in a series of major SI exclusives. Last week, Lionel Messi’s first-person perspective on coming to America for Copa America was the subject of an SI Films production, long-form digital package and magazine cover story. This summer, SI will also give multi-platform long-form treatment to Ken Griffey Jr. on the eve of his Baseball Hall of Fame induction.

“We are excited to bring a fresh perspective to one of the greatest athletic performances of all time,” said Paul Fichtenbaum, SI group editor, about the Jenner project. “Obviously, so much has transpired since the ’76 Olympic Games. Thanks to Tim's access, this story is rich with layers, and we’ve got multidimensional content that fans will enjoy across any platform they choose.”