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Caitlyn Jenner Chokes Up During Arthur Ashe Courage Award Acceptance Speech at 2015 ESPYS [VIDEO]

| Jul 16, 2015 07:51 AM EDT

Caitlyn Jenner got emotional while speaking at accepting her Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Award.

Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, was seen overwhelmed with emotions during her speech after accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPYS held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on July 15, Wednesday.

Although the 65-year-old remained calm and composed throughout her speech, she was seen wiping her tears as she addressed and thanked her family members, including her daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian, who were also present in the audience, The Guardian reported.

During her speech at the event, Jenner majorly highlighted the challenges transgender people experience and how limelight can bring a positive change in the community's outlook. The former Olympian also talked about how transgender people, when fail to reveal their true identity, are driven to suicide.

 "This transition has been harder on me than anything I could ever imagine, and that's the case for so many like me," said Jenner, who was dressed gorgeously in a figure hugging white gown by Versace.

The Arthur Ashe award is named after the tennis-player-turned AIDS activist and honors bravery in the field of athletics every year. With the award, Jenner has joined the ranks of other awardees like Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, and Nelson Mandela, TIME reported.

However, Jenner's award was not cheered by everyone and was opposed vehemently in social media by obstinate sports fans. The 1976 decathlon gold medallist also addressed the matter in her speech by saying that the award is not about one person, but it is about accepting each other.

Jenner received the award by U.S. women's soccer team star, Abby Wambach, who is known to be a notable member of US sports' LGBT community. 

Watch Jenner's ESPY speech below:

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