Greg Louganis (Mario Lopez), who was bullied as a kid and whose adoptive father (Michael Murphy) didn’t understand him, worked hard to become a champion diver and won an Olympic gold medal.
Despite his successes, his personal life has not become less difficult. He gets HIV from his lover/manager Tom Barrett (Jeff Meek), with whom he has a difficult relationship.
After Tom’s death from AIDS, Louganis makes up his mind to finally come out as a homosexual before going on to win multiple medals in the 1988 Olympics.
Breaking the Surface is about the Tough Times Greg Louganis Had
Greg Louganis overcame adversity to become a great Olympic diver, and he recounts his journey in the memoir Breaking the Surface.
Greg’s difficulties as a child, his homosexuality, and his subsequent HIV infection were all discussed.
Greg Louganis overcame adversity to become a great Olympic diver, and his story is told in the documentary Breaking the Surface.
Greg’s family issues, homosexuality, and HIV infection were all brought up in conversation. When Greg Louganis (Mario Lopez) crashes into the diving board during a dive in Seoul in 1988, he suffers a severe head injury.
Greg’s memories flood back as he dives into the water: being picked on as a child, his adoptive father Michael Murphy’s lack of acceptance and control.
His silver medal, the 1982 world championship, his two gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
His abusive relationship with Tom Barrett, his dying father, Tom’s losing battle with AIDS, and Greg’s own HIV positive status.
Greg has two more gold medals to add to his collection after having his head injuries treated by medics in Seoul.
Greg decides to come out as homosexual and make his entire life as a gay athlete public after the loss of his father and Tom’s fight with AIDS.
Conclusion
Greg Louganis overcame adversity to become one of the best Olympic divers in the world, and his story is told in the documentary Breaking the Surface.
Greg’s difficulties as a child, his sexual orientation, and his subsequent HIV infection were all discussed.
