Changes

=== Capitalizing on Olympic fame ===

=== Capitalizing on Olympic fame ===

 

In the 1970s, Olympic athletes were considered to be amateurs and were not allowed to seek or accept payment for their positions as sports celebrities. During the [[Cold War]] in 1972, three major Olympic titles that had a long history of American success{{snds}}[[Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics|basketball]], [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|the 100 meter dash]], and [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics{{snds}}Men's decathlon|decathlon]]{{snds}}were won by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] athletes. All Soviet athletes were professionals, while the United States was limited to amateurs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/russia-and-its-empires/tyler-benson/|title=The Role of Sports in The Soviet Union - Guided History}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref name="cia.gov"/> Jenner became an American hero by returning the decathlon title to the United States. "After the Games were over," Jenner said, "I happened to be the right guy, at that right place, at that right time."<ref name="espnoly"/> [[Tony Kornheiser]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that along with wife, Chrystie, Jenner was "so high up on the pedestal of American heroism, it would take a crane to get them down."<ref name="dmr"/><ref name="forgotten history"/><ref name="spotlight shifts"/>

In the 1970s, Olympic athletes were considered to be amateurs and were not allowed to seek or accept payment for their positions as sports celebrities. During the [[Cold War]] in 1972, three major Olympic titles that had a long history of American success{{snds}}[[Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics|basketball]], [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's 100 metres|the 100 meter dash]], and [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics{{snds}}Men's decathlon|decathlon]]{{snds}}were won by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] athletes. All Soviet athletes were professionals, while the United States was limited to amateurs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/russia-and-its-empires/tyler-benson/|title=The Role of Sports in The Soviet Union - Guided History}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref name="cia.gov"/> Jenner became an American hero by returning the decathlon title to the United States. "After the Games were over," Jenner said, "I happened to be the right guy, at that right place, at that right time."<ref name="espnoly"/> Tony Kornheiser of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote that along with wife, Chrystie, Jenner was "so high up on the pedestal of American heroism, it would take a crane to get them down."<ref name="dmr"/><ref name="forgotten history"/><ref name="spotlight shifts"/>

After the expected Olympic success, Jenner planned to cash in on whatever celebrity status could follow a gold medal in the same mold as [[Johnny Weissmuller]] and [[Sonja Henie]], who had become major movie stars following their gold medals. This would require forgoing any future Olympic competition. At the time, Jenner's agent George Wallach felt there was a four-year window{{snds}}until the next Olympics{{snds}}upon which to capitalize. Wallach reported that Jenner was being considered for the role of ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'', which ultimately went to [[Christopher Reeve]]. "I really don't know how many offers we have", Wallach claimed. "There are still unopened telegrams back at the hotel and you just can't believe the offers that poured in during the first two days."<ref name="nydn"/>

After the expected Olympic success, Jenner planned to cash in on whatever celebrity status could follow a gold medal in the same mold as [[Johnny Weissmuller]] and [[Sonja Henie]], who had become major movie stars following their gold medals. This would require forgoing any future Olympic competition. At the time, Jenner's agent George Wallach felt there was a four-year window{{snds}}until the next Olympics{{snds}}upon which to capitalize. Wallach reported that Jenner was being considered for the role of ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'', which ultimately went to [[Christopher Reeve]]. "I really don't know how many offers we have", Wallach claimed. "There are still unopened telegrams back at the hotel and you just can't believe the offers that poured in during the first two days."<ref name="nydn"/>