Greg Louganis And US Diving Could Be A Perfect Combination

Greg Louganis And US Diving Could Be A Perfect Combination - Greg Louganis is trying to make sure the stress of winning medals isn't heaped on the shoulders of American divers, who have been chasing his standard of excellence since Louganis became the sport's icon in the 1980s. When the United States diving team was on top, Louganis won four gold medals off the three and 10-meter platforms, but has been away from the sport for a time until now.

The Associated Press reports that Louganis is now associated with USA Diving again, this time acting as a mentor to younger athletes, helping them to relieve the stress associated with high-level competition as they approach the 2012 London Olympics. He came on board last year, with not much time until the start of the games.

“”I’m hoping it’s not too little, too late,” Louganis told the AP. “I’m not coaching dives, I’m observing and making recommendations of what I see, of what they may be able to add to enhance their training programs.”

Louganis hopes to share his life experience with the medal hopefuls, sharing that no matter what is going on in their life they can get through it. Lougainis, for example, competed in the Olympics despite no one knowing he was gay and HIV positive. And of course there was the time he hit his head on the platform and still returned to win a gold medal.

“I’ve been to those dark places, but I came up on the other side,” he said. “It gives an opportunity of realizing that there might be something else.”