Champion diver Greg Louganis is auctioning three of his five Olympic medals, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Damien Center, an HIV/AIDS service organization.
The auction will be conducted by Bonhams on September 14, 2023. The Greg Louganis Olympic Collection features two Olympic gold medals (1984, 1988), one Olympic silver medal (1976) in men’s diving, along with a significant collection of memorabilia from his competition days, including a scrapbook kept by his mother of the 1976 games, a competition swimsuit, a Speedo diving brief, and a scorecard from the 1984 games.
Also included in the auction is a signed old Hollywood-style portrait of Louganis—a silver-gelatin print c. 1985—taken during a sitting with the 80s photographer Herb Ritts, famous for evoking the glamour of a much earlier era. Ritts’ photos are highly prized and collectible in their own right.
Interviewed by The Advocate about the auction, Louganis remarked that each lot for sale has a story, and to be able to share those stories will allow them to live on beyond him—so they can do some good.
Louganis told Chicago ABC affiliate WLS-TV that part of the proceeds will help the Damian Center provide for those living with HIV.
“It’s kind of a one-stop shop for people living with HIV/AIDS as far as services,” Louganis told the WLS reporter. “There’s mental health, there’s dentistry, there’s health care. My goal is to raise enough money to where I can name the welcome center after Ryan White. That’s my goal.” He also said he hopes to name the welcome lounge after his mother, Francis Louganis.
Links:
The auction at Bonhams.
The Advocate.
The Damien Center.
