US Olympic legend Greg Louganis sells his medals, home to start a new life abroad: ‘I needed the money’
He is making his boldest leap yet.
US Olympic legend Greg Louganis has parted with his California home and three of his cherished Olympic medals to launch a bold new chapter of life abroad.
The diving icon, 65, who is widely acclaimed as possibly the greatest diver in history, revealed that he “needed the money” from his house and medals to be able to start afresh overseas.
Louganis, who won five Olympic medals between 1976 and 1988, revealed that he had bid adieu to the US and relocated to Panama.
“So, as life moves forward, what are you prepared to leave behind?” he wrote on Facebook over the weekend.
“I am 65 years old, and I am asking just that. I am no longer who I used to think I was. Not even close to ‘What’ other people or ‘Who’ other people think I am.”
The retired athlete revealed that he sold two gold Olympic medals and one silver medal in an auction — and the combined $437,000 he made from the sale exceeded all of his expectations.
“I have auctioned three of my medals, which sold, I believe, because I went against what the ‘experts’ told me last time when I tried the first time,” he wrote.
“I told the truth; I needed the money. While many people may have built businesses and sold them for a profit, I had my medals, which I am grateful for.”
“The other consideration is the sale of my house. I am VERY happy with whom I sold it to,” he continued.
“I thanked and blessed the house to bring joy, love, peace, happiness, and a sense of safety to those who entered the house.”
In addition to the medals and his home, Louganis revealed that he sold a lot of his personal belongings after several of his close friends lost their possessions in the deadly Woolsey and Palisades wildfires earlier this year.
“I know I am choosing to do this, but their resilience is an inspiration for me to start anew, with an open heart and an open door. Opening up to possibilities,” he went on.
“I realized I often close myself off, shut myself down, and play small for the comfort of others. I don’t think I have realized or given myself credit for what I might be able to accomplish.”
“Like I said in an earlier post, ‘I was an instrument of my coach’s, Ron O’Brien’s, creation.’ I was honored, proud, and blessed to have been that for him. It was all achieved with love at the core,” he added.
Louganis said his new life in Panama will force him to go on a journey of self-discovery.
“Now I get to discover who is Greg Louganis? Without the distraction and noise from outside. At least this is my goal, and hey, I may not find that.”
“I think I may find it at times, in moments, my goal is to live it! Discover, allow, and nurture that human spirit through the experiences of life,” he added.
The diving legend’s career spanned across three Olympic Games: Montreal in 1976, Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988.
The athlete racked up a total of five Olympic medals throughout his glittering career, including four gold medals and one silver.
Louganis is the only man to win consecutive Olympic titles in springboard and platform diving — in 1984 and 1988.
After retiring from the sport, Louganis tried his hand at acting, motivational speaking and offered up sports commentary.
After his diving career ended, Louganis revealed he was gay in 1994 and announced he was HIV-positive a year later.
Credit to Nypost AND Peoples
