Bruce Jenner's Racing Pal Scott Pruett Expresses Shock Over Alleged Transgender Transformation But Offers His Support

American reality TV star Bruce Jenner has been taking up a permanent residency in newspaper headlines around the globe in recent months due to speculations about his alleged transition into a woman. Fans from the younger generation may only know Bruce from reality TV, but the 65-year-old star had successful careers in sports and television for decades. One of his longtime friends and colleagues, Scot Pruett, expressed his shock over the recent reports about Bruce and his gender identity.

Bruce and Scott Pruett raced together back in the 1980s when Bruce decided to take up a career in motorsports after retiring from the decathlon. Bruce had won a gold medal in the Montreal Olympics at the height of the Cold War where he defeated Soviet Athletes. The win turned him into a household name and an all-American hero.

After retiring from the decathlon, Bruce decided to take up racing and this was where he met Pruett. At the time, Bruce was enjoying the aftermath and all the perks of his hard work in the Olympics. “He was a stud, man, just a great studly jock that had the world by the tail at the time,” Pruett said in an interview with the New York Daily News.

The pair raced together and also against each other during the decade in which Bruce immersed himself in the sport. The two remained in touch and have kept a friendship for over 30 years. Pruett stayed in racing while Bruce has since moved on to do other things including appearing in his family’s hit reality TV show, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.”

“I don’t walk in his shoes and it’s difficult to understand what he’s going through and what’s taking place, but I wish him well with whatever makes him happy,” said Pruett in a show of support to his old pal. Bruce’s high school sweetheart also expressed her shock about the news but also sent out her best wishes.

While the reports have been floating around the tabloids for months, Bruce is expected to speak out and finally clear out the issue about his alleged transition through an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer. The special event is set to air on Friday, April 24, at 9 p.m. on ABC.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at: c.caparras@ibtimes.com.au.