It’s quite possible many of you are quite a bit younger than me. I’m the same age as Caitlyn Jenner and feel compelled to make a statement.

As a young athlete she was truly amazing. She was a American football player who became injured and had to switch sports. She made herself into a terrific athlete by putting in eight to tem hours a day in training. She supported herself during this time selling insurance at night.

The United States had many great decathlon athletes before Jenner. They had won seven of the nine Olympic decathlons prior to Jenner winning hers. Her win was special in that Russia had dominated the prior games in Munich. The pride in Jenner’s win was amazing.

And then there was the Wheaties box, which was a huge success.

Jenner tried many things and failed at many of them. She managed through perseverance to keep going and making a success of herself despite the internal struggle that this community knows and understands.

She got involved in the Kardashian circus for whatever reason, and managed to keep her dignity.

I had my doubts, which I expressed here. Once I saw the interview with Diane Sawyer I was convinced that she is legitimate. From what I saw on that show she is aware of her family and has managed a balancing act that I applaud.

Am I envious? Not as much as I’m grateful. I feel just that much less alone.

Think of how much she put on the line. -- and is still putting on the line. She’s an amazing person who may have outdone what she did in Montreal in 1976.

Sure, much of her beauty is contrived, but when isn’t that true.

Thank you Caitlyn, for being yourself.