Greg Louganis
Greg Louganis is considered to be the greatest diver of all time. He won his first Olympic medal (silver) at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, at age 16. He went on to win four gold medals 2 each at the 1984 Los Angeles games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic games. He became the first man to win gold in both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events in consecutive Olympics. At the Seoul Olympics he overcame a very scary accident, hitting his head on the springboard in the prelims, before going on to win gold.
Louganis also won 47 National diving titles, and added 5 World Championship titles to his resume.
Greg was adopted at 9 months old, he was teased and bullied growing up and struggled in school, but he excelled in sport. He excelled in gymnastics and at 9 years old was performing often.
He started diving in 1969 when his mother took him to diving lessons. He entered the National Junior Olympics at 11 years old and tied for 2nd place.
Louganis went to college at the University of Miami on a diving scholarship where he studied theater. In 1980 he transferred to UC Irvine to work with diving coach Ron O’Brien. He completed his degree 1983, majoring in Drama with a minor in Dance.
In 1995 Greg came out and announced he was HIV positive. He has become an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and those living with HIV/AIDS.
He has kept very busy post athletic career, he has trained and shown dogs, pursued acting, appearing in 8 films, and many television shows. He has co-written books including his autobiography “Breaking the Surface” and “For the Life of Your Dog”.
Louganis has continued his connection to sport by mentoring the 2012 US Olympic Diving Team, being a judge for the Red Bull Cliff Diving Tour, and running training camps.