Remembering great Olympian diver self-confessed gay diver, Greg Louganis
Media tycoon, Oprah Winfrey talks to Olympic medalist and great diver, Greg Louganis of his influence to the members of gay community
He has won four Olympic gold medals and with five world championships to his credit at the peak of his diving career. Olympic medalist and great diver, Greg Louganis returns in the media spotlight after accepting a coaching job for a divers group four months ago.
The Queen of talk and media tycoon, Oprah Winfrey had talked to Louganis of his influence and impact on the gay community last month. Citing the report of The New York Times, Sports Yahoo outlined how his life has changed after disclosing the true nature of his identity and his gender preferences.
Louganis, now the junior coach for SoCal divers, have come out in the open in 1995, also at the Oprah Winfrey show and revealed that he was gay. In an interview with Oprah almost two decades ago, Louganis had shocked his followers and the world when he also disclosed that he had HIV.
His appearance on the Oprah’s show last month has proven that his revelation and courage to come out amidst his success of a career in a man’s world have had great impacts for those who have seen his bravery to accept his true identity.
In time for the annual gay parade in March, his interview at Oprah was complimented by another guest who claimed he had seen Lougani’s revelation when he was twelve. The New York Times noted that Oprah’s second guest for the episode emphasized how Louganis disclosure have motivated him and given him courage ‘to live his life as an openly gay man’.
With HIV he acquired in 1995, Louganis thought he would not wake up one day at 34. Sports Yahoo said that the great diver has thrown a spectacular party at his 33rd birthday celebration for fear that he would not live another year.
The great diver now lives in a great place near what he loves the most, by the sea in Malibu.