Legendary Comeback at the 1988 Olympics
At the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, Greg Louganis made history by becoming the first male diver to sweep both the three-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events in back-to-back Olympic Games—a feat never before accomplished. But what truly marked this achievement was the dramatic and courageous way in which he secured his gold medals.
During the preliminary rounds of the three-meter springboard, Louganis attempted a difficult 2½ reverse somersault in a tuck position. In a shocking moment that would be an unforgotten Olympic moment, he struck his head on the diving board that has since become the infamous Greg Louganis 1988 diving accident. Despite a bleeding scalp and a concussion, Louganis climbed out of the pool, received medical attention, and not only continued competing—he qualified for the finals.
A week later, in the 10-meter platform finals, Louganis faced a psychological and physical test. Among his dives was the harrowing 3½ reverse somersault, notoriously nicknamed the “Dive of Death.” This dive had claimed the life of Soviet diver Sergei Chalibashvili in 1983—a tragedy Louganis had personally witnessed while waiting to compete. Yet in Seoul, Louganis executed the dive with perfection, silencing doubters and inspiring the world. He added two more gold medals to his name, bringing his career Olympic total to four golds and one silver.
Many argue that Louganis might have claimed two additional Olympic medals had he not been affected by the 1980 U.S. boycott of the Moscow Games, where he was a top contender.
Olympic Medals and Diving Career
Louganis’s athletic career is among the most dominant in Olympic history. At just 16 years old, he captured silver in the 10-meter platform at the 1976 Montreal Games. At the 1982 World Championships, he became the first diver ever to receive perfect 10s from all seven judges—a flawless performance that stunned the world.
His momentum continued into the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where he easily won two gold medals in both the springboard and platform events, cementing his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Across his decorated career, Louganis amassed an astonishing 47 national titles and 13 world championships.
Olympic Champion and LGBTQ+ Trailblazer
Beyond the pool, Louganis has left a lasting impact as an LGBTQ+ Olympic athlete, an HIV awareness advocate, and a powerful voice for inclusion in sports. After publicly coming out as gay and disclosing his HIV status in the 1990s, Louganis became an inspiration for countless individuals navigating identity, stigma, and resilience.
His post-competition contributions continued when he mentored the U.S. Diving Team at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, bringing his wisdom, strength, and compassion to the next generation of American divers.