Gay Olympian Greg Louganis sells medals to move out of US

Trailblazing gay diver Greg Louganis has sold his Olympic medals and house in the United States in order to move to Panama, after the Los Angeles fires.

Greg Louganis, who snatched a total of five Olympic diving medals across three Games (Montreal in 1976, Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988), has become the latest celebrity to relocate from the United States of America.

The American diver, who came out as gay in 1994 shortly after returning from the Seoul Olympics, and disclosed that he was HIV-positive in 1995, is a trailblazer on and off the boards, and shared the next chapter in his life via a lengthy Facebook post.

“So, as life moves forward, what are you prepared to leave behind?” he wrote in the post to his profile.

“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.”

Louganis explained that he has “auctioned three of [his Olympic] medals, which sold… because I went against what the “experts” told me last time when I tried the first time.”

According to Cllct.com, the medals fetched more than $430k (roughly £318k) at auction.

“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 Olympian added.

He then went on to share that he has also sold his home, in California, writing: “I am VERY happy with whom I sold it to. I thanked and blessed the house to bring joy, love, peace, happiness, and a sense of safety to those who entered the house.”

The diver explained that the devastating Los Angeles fires this year inspired him to think about making a change, writing: “I had many friends, people I was close to, lost everything in the Woolsey Fire, and then the Palasades Fire just 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.”

Louganis continued: “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.

“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.”

The 65-year-old added: “Will be checkin in from Panama!”

Louganis is not the first notable figure to recently move from the US; Ellen DeGeneres and Porti de Rossi reportedly exited the country in November last year, and Star Wars icon Mark Hamill and Jimmy Kimmel both reportedly considered following suit.

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