Back on Board: Greg Louganis
- Director: Cheryl Furjanic
- Producer: Roberto De Jesus; Cheryl Furjanic
CGiii Comment
Greg is a seriously decent chap...not good with money though.
The film starts with the threat of his home being repossessed...WHAT?!? He's an unbeaten Olympic champion, the greatest diver in the history of the sport...he should be swimming in cash.
Alas, no.
The tone is set from the beginning...behind all the glory and smiles, an elongated train-wreck was playing out. From the HIV diagonsis, through an abusive and criminal relationship, via scams and bad choices to his very public coming out...the money flittered away, a slow and painful disintegration of a 'personality' that the advertisers wouldn't dare to touch...because of his sexuality.
The most poignant line is when Louganis is asked what it would take to get him back into diving. He replied: ask me.
They asked. He accepted and now he mentors the American Olympic diving team.
Thankfully, the wilderness years are over for Greg...both his personal and professional lives have synchronised. Long may it last.
A fine, fitting film for a once-forgotten sporting icon...a true ambassador for sport and the LGBT community.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Feature-length documentary about the greatest diver of all time. Four-time Olympic champion Greg Louganis has faced more than his share of challenges. In 2011, he is far from the public eye and struggling to pay his mortgage. Now, the openly gay, HIV+ world-class athlete returns to diving to mentor the USA Olympic hopefuls. This may be his best chance to regain the notoriety -- and financial stability -- he enjoyed at the height of his career.
Cast & Characters
Greg Louganis as Himself