Bruce Jenner’s mom: “I am more proud of him now than when he stood on that podium and put the gold medal around his neck”

This is wonderful – this is everything.

Bruce Jenner’s mom is expressing her support of the Olympic gold medalist’s plans to transition to female.

‘Right now I am more proud of him for what he’s allowing himself to do,’ Esther Jenner tells RadarOnline. ‘I am more proud of him now than when he stood on that podium and put the gold medal around his neck. He deserves all the respect.’

Jenner, now more famous for the reality show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, won the Olympic decathlon in 1976 and instantly became one of the biggest sports heroes in the US.

Jenner’s mother, who is 88, was not aware until recently of his plans.

‘I have never been more proud of Bruce for who he is, himself as a father, as an Olympian, a wonderful public speaker,’ she says. ‘He instills enthusiasm in people. He’s gifted.’

‘I support him whole-heartedly,’ she adds. ‘I just love him like I always have.’