Olympic legend and gay icon Greg Louganis joins celebrity exodus from the United States

Greg Louganis, one of the most decorated Olympic divers in history and a revered LGBTQ+ icon, has officially left the United States, joining a growing wave of celebrities seeking new beginnings abroad. The 65-year-old athlete and activist recently relocated to Panama, marking a significant personal and symbolic shift in his storied life.

Louganis, who won four Olympic gold medals and remains the only man to sweep both springboard and platform diving events in consecutive Games, has long been celebrated not only for his athletic prowess but also for his courage in coming out as gay and HIV-positive in the 1990s.

In recent months, Louganis sold three of his Olympic medals at auction, raising over $430,000 (£318,000), and also parted ways with his California home. He described the move as a step toward a new lifestyle and mindset, saying he was letting go of past accolades and possessions to embrace a more grounded and secure future.

His decision to leave the US comes amid increasing concerns among public figures about climate disasters, political instability, and personal safety. Louganis cited the impact of California wildfires and the resilience of friends who lost everything as key motivators for his departure.

“So, as life moves forward, what are you prepared to leave behind?” he wrote in a post on Facebook.

“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.”