International Olympic Committee Responds to Petition to Revoke Caitlyn Jenner's Gold Medal

Photo Wikimedia Commons/Fireworker

In a rare move, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued a statement touching upon Caitlyn Jenner's transition.

Typically, the IOC is slow to address controversies arising from the public sphere --most recently, the committee dragged its heels to tackle Russia's anti-gay propaganda law in the months leading up to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, until the international pressure made it impossible to remain quiet.

However, the traction gained by a Change.org petition calling for Caitlyn Jenner's Olympic medal to be revoked apparently struck a nerve in the usually tight-lipped organization.

In a short statement to Yahoo News, Mark Adams, the IOC communications director, said:

"Bruce Jenner won his gold medal in the 1976 Olympic Games and there is no issue for the IOC."

Jenner took home gold in the decathalon at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. A few days after her coming out, the US Olympic Comittee announced that they would change Jenner's name in the official records and US Olympic Hall of Fame can be changed to Caitlyn, if the athlete wishes so.

There's also been controversy over news that Jenner will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year's ESPYs. In light of the negativity and vitriol being spread largely online, ESPN released the following statement:

"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. At all times, there are many worthy candidates. This year, we are proud to honor Caitlyn Jenner embracing her identity and doing so in a public way to help move forward a constructive dialogue about progress and acceptance."