Greg Louganis has made his boldest move yet. The U.S. Olympic diving legend has sold his California home and three of his medals to fund a new life abroad. Louganis, 65, confirmed that he has relocated to Panama, saying he needed the money to begin a fresh chapter.
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Louganis won five Olympic medals between 1976 and 1988 and is widely regarded as the greatest diver of all time. Over the weekend, he shared the decision on Facebook, writing, "So, as life moves forward, what are you prepared to leave behind? 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 auction of two golds and one silver brought in $437,000, more than he expected.
"I told the truth. I needed the money," he wrote. "While many people may have built businesses and sold them for a profit, I had my medals, which I am grateful for."
Louganis also sold his house and much of his personal belongings. He said he wanted to embrace change and drew inspiration from friends who lost possessions in California's Woolsey and Palisades wildfires.
"Their resilience is an inspiration for me to start anew, with an open heart and an open door," he said.
Louganis added that this next stage of life is about self-discovery. "Now I get to discover who is Greg Louganis? Without the distraction and noise from outside. At least this is my goal," he wrote.
Louganis competed in three Olympics: Montreal in 1976, Los Angeles in 1984, and Seoul in 1988. His dominance at the 1984 and 1988 Games cemented his legacy as one of the most iconic athletes in U.S. history.
