Caitlyn Jenner to Receive Arthur Ashe Award for Courage

By Christopher Rosen / Entertainment Weekly

June 1, 2015

Caitlyn Jenner will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at this year’s ESPY awards, ESPN confirmed on Monday.

Jenner, who came out as transgender in an interview with Diane Sawyer back in April, made her first appearance on the July cover ofVanity Fair. (Jenner, who was formerly known as Bruce Jenner, won the gold medal in the men’s decathlon at the 1976 Olympics.)

“It’s not about the fanfare, it’s not about people cheering in the stadium, it’s not about going down the street and everybody giving you ‘that a boy, Bruce,’ pat on the back, O.K. This is about your life,”the former Olympian told Vanity Fair.

Jenner will be joined by her family on stage at the ESPY awards, which take place on July 15. ESPN is calling the event Jenner’s “first major public appearance.”

See The Life of Caitlyn Jenner

At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Bruce Jenner won the gold medal in the decathlon, setting the world record at 8,616 points.

At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Bruce Jenner won the gold medal in the decathlon, setting the world record at 8,616 points.

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Jenner became a national hero following his Olympic win and was later inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1986.

Jenner became a national hero following his Olympic win and was later inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1986.

Tony Duffy—Getty Images

Jenner became an NBC Sportscaster in the late 1970s following his Olympic performance in Montreal.

Jenner became an NBC Sportscaster in the late 1970s following his Olympic performance in Montreal.

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Jenner married actress Linda Thompson, above, on Jan. 5, 1981, following his divorce with Chrystie Crownover.

Jenner married actress Linda Thompson, above, on Jan. 5, 1981, following his divorce with Chrystie Crownover.

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Jenner was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. In October of 1985, he received the Outstanding Learning Disabled Achiever Award from then-First Lady Nancy Reagan alongside stars such as Cher and Tom Cruise.

Jenner was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. In October of 1985, he received the Outstanding Learning Disabled Achiever Award from then-First Lady Nancy Reagan alongside stars such as Cher and Tom Cruise.

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Jenner was a successful race car driver in the 1980s, though in a 2013 interview he said, "I was a lot more badass runner than I was a driver.”

Jenner was a successful race car driver in the 1980s, though in a 2013 interview he said, "I was a lot more badass runner than I was a driver.”

Ann Clifford—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

In 1991, Jenner married Kris Jenner, previously Kris Kardashian, just one month after she finalized her divorce from Robert Kardashian. The two had dated for only five months.

In 1991, Jenner married Kris Jenner, previously Kris Kardashian, just one month after she finalized her divorce from Robert Kardashian. The two had dated for only five months.

Maureen Donaldson—Getty Images

Their marriage merged two already large families, evident here in this 1991 portrait.

Their marriage merged two already large families, evident here in this 1991 portrait.

Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

After his sports career, Jenner, seen here at a celebrity golf event in 1993, had a number of small acting jobs and television appearances.

After his sports career, Jenner, seen here at a celebrity golf event in 1993, had a number of small acting jobs and television appearances.

Stephen Dunn—Getty Images

The family poses at an event in 1995, the year Jenner and Kris welcomed the first of their two children together, Kendall Jenner.

The family poses at an event in 1995, the year Jenner and Kris welcomed the first of their two children together, Kendall Jenner.

Ron Galella—WireImage

Kylie Jenner was born two years later in 1997. The girls can be seen here on the red carpet in 2000, long before they covered magazines and appeared on TIME's <a href="http://time.com/3486048/most-influential-teens-2014/">Most Influential Teens</a> list.

Kylie Jenner was born two years later in 1997. The girls can be seen here on the red carpet in 2000, long before they covered magazines and appeared on TIME's Most Influential Teens list.

Scott Nelson—AFP/Getty Images

Jenner, seen here in 2005, would re-enter the spotlight thanks to <i>Keeping Up With the Kardashians</i>, which first premiered in 2007.

Jenner, seen here in 2005, would re-enter the spotlight thanks to Keeping Up With the Kardashians, which first premiered in 2007.

Steve Granitz—WireImage

Jenner spoofed his reality-star fame with a commercial for Tropicana Juicy Rewards in 2010.

Jenner spoofed his reality-star fame with a commercial for Tropicana Juicy Rewards in 2010.

AP

Jenner and Kris, here at <i>The Tonight Show</i> with Jay Leno in 2011, announced their separation in 2013. She filed for divorce the following year.

Jenner and Kris, here at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2011, announced their separation in 2013. She filed for divorce the following year.

Kevin Winter—Getty Images

Jenner poses with a box of Wheaties in 2012. He appeared on the front of the box first in 1977 after his Olympic gold-medal win, then in 2012 when Wheaties rolled out a retro series.

Jenner poses with a box of Wheaties in 2012. He appeared on the front of the box first in 1977 after his Olympic gold-medal win, then in 2012 when Wheaties rolled out a retro series.

Noel Vasquez—Getty Images

Jenner appears with two of his sons, TV personality Brody Jenner and musician Brandon Jenner, who records with his wife as Brandon & Leah, at an April 2013 release party.

Jenner appears with two of his sons, TV personality Brody Jenner and musician Brandon Jenner, who records with his wife as Brandon & Leah, at an April 2013 release party.

Chelsea Lauren—WireImage

Jenner walks with step-daughter Kim Kardashian in October of 2014 — about five months after rapper Kanye West became his son-in-law.

Jenner walks with step-daughter Kim Kardashian in October of 2014 — about five months after rapper Kanye West became his son-in-law.

Bauer-Griffin—GC Images

Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, appeared as a woman for the first time on the cover of <i>Vanity Fair</i>'s June 2015 issue, photographed by Annie Leibovitz.

Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner, appeared as a woman for the first time on the cover of Vanity Fair's June 2015 issue, photographed by Annie Leibovitz.

Annie Leibovitz—Vanity Fair

Caitlyn Jenner accepts the Arthur Ashe Courage Award onstage during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015 in Los Angeles.

Caitlyn Jenner accepts the Arthur Ashe Courage Award onstage during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015 in Los Angeles.

Kevin Winter—Getty Images

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