GREG LOUGANIS has revealed he is starting a new life abroad after selling his home and three of his Olympic medals.
The springboard diver is seen as one of the best male divers of all time.
Greg Louganis is leaving the US[/caption]
He won four Olypmpic gold medals during his career[/caption]
Louganis, 65, won five Olympic medals between 1976 and 1988 but is now leaving the US.
He is moving to Panama in Central America and confirmed his decision on Facebook.
He wrote: “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.”
He auctioned off two of his gold medals and one silver that surpassed his expectations.
Despite having an original estimate of $80,000, the three items sold for a combined $437,000.
He added: “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.
“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.”
He also revealed that his house in California has been sold along with a lot of personal possessions.
He continued: “The other consideration is the sale of my house. 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.”
He insisted that the decision to part with many of his possessions was because of the wildfires that devastated Woolsey and Palisades.
He had a few friends who had seen their homes destroyed by the fires.
He said: “I had many friends, people I was close to, [who] 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 appeared in three Olympics from Montreal in 1976 to Los Angeles in 1984 and then Seoul in 1988.
He won four gold medals and one silver but missed out a place at the Games in Moscow 1980 because of the US boycott.
After retiring, he has had many different interests such as acting, motivational speaking, dog agility competitions as well as commentating.
He came out as gay in 1994 and revealed that he had been living with HIV since 1988.
His statement ended: “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.”
