1:1 with Greg Louganis | Drew Gowing | Summer Issue 2009
In 1988, I was a sophomore at Brigham Young University when ABC’s Wide World of Sports crowned Gold Medal Olympic Diving Champion, Greg Louganis, Athlete of the Year. And when I was invited to interview him not a month ago I felt, well, oddly intimidated. His athletic achievements had translated into the eminence of celebrity and by the power and magic of television he’d become the picture of personal excellence. Thankfully, I’d grown up in Los Angeles California and had my fair share of run-ins with Hollywood’s elite [Like the time Schwarzenegger pulled up next to me on Sunset with his Hummer and signature cigar. He lost me somewhere on PCH but I felt sure that we’d made a connection]. From my earliest recollection I realized that there was an odd disconnect between those who lived inside the television set and the rest of the world who were content simply to woo them. The proverbial palace walls separate those who dare from those who stare and in the end are best served, I dare say, by this disconnect. For meeting a legend comes with a very special burden. Like that time I met Big Bird at the Ice Capades… [Shh! Not so big].
The12 miles between Center City Charlotte and me seemed longer than usual. The absence of traffic in the early Saturday morning hour breaks with my idea of routine. And while normally a welcome diversion, I wished for more time to prepare. Adrenalin coursed through my veins as I secretly hoped to unearth a little journalistic detail or jewel by which to distinguish our interview. The walk from the parking garage at Wachovia to Gateway Village enabled me not only to sort myself out, but for those last minute thoughts to congeal. RAIN’s Annual Aides Walk had commenced and its leaders returned as I reared the corner of the plaza and began to gooseneck for our designated meeting spot. A middle aged man, 50ish, and I see and identify one another almost immediately. The clever lines of an untucked shirt conceal a less than perfect body and his now silver hair dangles upon his signature broad shoulders. A leashed and muzzled dog leads him toward me and with his hand extended he says, simply enough, "I’m Greg."
We’re escorted by an entourage into the wings of nearby office space. Two glass doors, a sophisticated alarm and a tiny keypad are all that separate us from the otherwise public affair, and I couldn’t help but feel like the proverbial Doggie in the Window. "So Greg," I say, easing into the rental furnishings, "Charlatan Magazine is a culture-as-lifestyle publication whose intention is to show how cultural diversity is merging into mainstream society. In your service, you will appear on our July cover. The Red White and Revolution issue will take a look at how the government computes the rights of the gay community and also comment on how those decisions are commuting into society.
The British Prime Minister recently told the Queen "this country isn’t governed by wisdom – but by talk. Gossip counts!" he said, indicating that popular opinions are what lead to laws and the moral imperative. So, let’s talk."
CM: Rightly or not, your being compared to Matthew Mitcham who, incidentally, was born during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul and at a time when the world watched you hit your head on the springboard during the preliminary rounds, repeat the Reverse 2 ½ Pike during finals and ultimately win the gold medal. However, Matthew Mitcham announced that he was gay prior to competing in the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. While the political climate is more tolerant today than it was 20 years ago, do you think there’s a relationship between this and the fact that he’s not received a single major endorsement?
GL: After the ‘88 games, I was in talks with Kellogg’s Cereal about doing the coveted Wheaties campaign. Ultimately, they decided that I didn’t have the right image. What’s interesting, though, is that in a subsequent interview with the Chicago Tribune one of their reporters actually referred to my relationship with Kellogg’s as a total lie! So, what’s worse? Being ignored or called a liar?
CM: In early 2009, Michael Phelps was photographed smoking marijuana and admitted to "behavior that was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment." Consequently, USA Swimming banned him from competing for 3 months and Kellogg’s announced that they would not renew his endorsement contract. However, Vanno, the company reputation index, announced that after dropping the single most decorated Olympic athlete of all time – that the Kellogg’s brand, reputation and sales were significantly hurt. In your opinion, is this country governed by wisdom or by talk?
GL: Talk – everyday of the week and twice on Sunday! If there’s an emotional connection to an image then people will consume it. And whether those images are religious, cultural, social or political is simply incidental.
