Greg Louganis

Greg Louganis began competing in diving at age 10. By 16, he had won his first Olympic medal, a silver medal on the platform in 1976. At 24, he became the first man in 56 years to win two gold medals in diving by winning both the platform and springboard events. In 1988, competing against divers half his age, he became the first to win double gold medals for diving in two consecutive Olympics.

Louganis’ diving accomplishments do not stop there. He is a six time World Champion and has held 47 National Championship titles. At the Pan Am Games he earned six gold medals and in 1985 he was awarded the Sullivan Award as the nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete.

Louganis is clearly the world’s greatest diver and a fine athlete. At the 1988 Olympic Games he was awarded the Maxwell House/United States Olympic Committee Spirit Award as the Olympic athlete who had best exhibited the ideals of the Olympic spirit, demonstrated extraordinary courage and contributed significantly to the sport. Louganis is more than just a diver, he stands out as a human being as well.

Although he is best known for his accomplishments as an Olympic Gold Medalist, Louganis has battled depression and persevered despite that and other challenges in his personal life. His best-selling autobiography, Breaking the Surface, is a revealing account of a man struggling with far more than simply striving to be a great athlete. For years, Louganis' cheerful public persona never hinted at the personal troubles he had to surmount - his HIV diagnosis, coming out as a gay man, domestic violence, substance abuse, dyslexia and surrounding all of this, his depression.

Today, Louganis is a speaker representing many organizations including youth clubs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation groups, and organizations for the dyslexic on obstacles he has overcome with a warmth and grace that embody the Olympic spirit. A popular speaker for universities, community associations, health care organizations and corporate groups, his honesty and message of tolerance and understanding have inspired millions around the world.

Louganis’ autobiography, Breaking the Surface, spent five weeks at number one on The New York Times bestseller List. He then produced a video diary called "Looking to the Light," which picked up where Breaking the Surface left off. His second book, For the Life of Your Dog, has just been published.