Greg Louganis

Greg Louganis is simply the greatest diver in history. An Olympic diving legend, winning four gold medals and becoming the only man ever to sweep diving events, both springboard and platform, in consecutive Olympic games. He has earned a total of 5 Olympic medals, 6 World Championship titles, and 47 national titles — more than any person in U.S. history. His records remain unbroken.

His compelling life story has captivated Americans for decades and his autobiography, “Breaking the Surface”, spent several weeks atop the New York Times bestsellers list. HBO produced a documentary series about Louganis's life, "Back on Board,” which received critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination.

Of Samoan and Swedish descent, Louganis’s teenage biological parents placed him up for adoption. He was raised by his adoptive parents in southern California, where he began his career as a diver. In the early 1980s, his first romantic relationship was wrought with domestic violence and ultimately left Louganis with HIV. He made the brave decisions to come out of the closet as a gay athlete and to publicly share his HIV diagnosis. He has since been an ardent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and ending the stigma associated with HIV. He continues to be remarkably candid about his experiences, hoping to help others along the way.

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will mark the 40th anniversary since Louganis last competed in the Olympics.