NEED TO KNOW
- Olympian Greg Louganis mentioned he auctioned off three of his Olympic medals as a result of he “wanted the cash”
- Louganis revealed he additionally offered his dwelling and lately relocated from the US to Panama
- Reflecting on his new chapter, the Olympian mentioned he is excited to “uncover” himself “with out the distraction and noise”
Olympian Greg Louganis mentioned he parted methods with three of his Olympic medals lately as a result of he “wanted the cash.”
In a submit on Fb, Louganis, 65, mirrored on promoting his Olympic {hardware}, in addition to his dwelling, to make ends meet as he relocated from the US to Panama. “So, as life strikes ahead, what are you ready to depart behind? I’m 65 years previous, and I’m asking simply that. I’m not who I used to assume I used to be,” Louganis started in his submit.
“I’ve auctioned three of my medals, which offered, I consider, as a result of I went in opposition to what the ‘consultants’ advised me final time after I tried the primary time,” he continued. “I advised the reality; I wanted the cash. Whereas many individuals might have constructed companies and offered them for a revenue, I had my medals, which I’m grateful for.”
The five-time Olympic medalist thought of he “may not have been in that place” if he “had correct administration” over the course of his diving profession. “However what is finished is finished; stay and study,” he wrote.
Louganis, who divorced his husband Johnny Chaillot in 2021, went on to share that he’s “VERY pleased with” the brand new proprietor of his dwelling. “I thanked and blessed the home to carry pleasure, love, peace, happiness, and a way of security to those that entered the home,” he mentioned.
Embarking on his new life in Panama, Louganis mentioned he had “varied issues to contemplate” when transferring his issues, like his automotive, over to his new dwelling, “together with import taxes to Panama, and the roads will not be fairly what we’re accustomed to.”
Crediting his mom Frances Louganis, he recalled how she would “typically” inform him, “Make in all places you go higher since you had been there.”
Louganis additionally mirrored on the victims of January’s fires in California. “I had many pals, individuals I used to be near, misplaced the whole lot within the Woolsey Hearth, after which the Palasades Hearth simply this yr,” he wrote. “I do know I’m selecting to do that, however their resilience is an inspiration for me to start out anew, with an open coronary heart and an open door. Opening as much as prospects.”
“I spotted I typically shut myself off, shut myself down, and play small for the consolation of others. I do not assume I’ve realized or given myself credit score for what I would have the ability to accomplish,” Louganis mirrored.
“Now I get to find who’s Greg Louganis? With out the distraction and noise from outdoors. No less than that is my objective, and hey, I could not discover that,” he continued. “I feel I could discover it at instances, in moments, my objective is to stay it! Uncover, permit, and nurture that human spirit by the experiences of life. To be joyful within the moments, embrace the grief, the anger, and the laughter, and embrace all of it, really feel all of it on this expertise we name our lives.”
Louganis, thought of one of many biggest American divers in historical past, specialised within the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform occasions. He received gold in each disciplines on the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, and silver within the 10-meter platform on the 1976 Video games.