Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (1997)

Breaking the Surface plunges into the tumultuous life of Greg Louganis, played by Mario Lopez, a world-renowned Olympic diver whose journey to greatness was anything but smooth sailing. The film sets the stage in Seoul, 1988, with a heart-stopping moment as Greg's head violently collides with the diving board, opening a gateway to his past. As the crimson hue of his blood dilutes in the pool, Greg's life flashes before his eyes. From the torment of his childhood, marked by ridicule from neighborhood bullies and the cold rejection of his adoptive father (Michael Murphy), to the triumph of clutching the silver medal, the narrative weaves a complex tapestry of pain and victory. The plot delves deeper as it navigates through the 1982 world championship, the dazzling glory of two gold medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and the crushing anguish of an abusive relationship with Tom Barrett. Further shadows fall on Greg's life as he grapples with his father's terminal cancer, Tom's losing battle with AIDS, and his own diagnosis as HIV positive. The drama unfolds as Greg, fresh from the stitches received in Seoul, valiantly returns to the competition, adding two more gold medals to his tally. The film reaches its emotional zenith as Greg, in the wake of his father's demise and Tom's lost battle against AIDS, takes a courageous leap off the board of secrecy, revealing his life as a homosexual athlete and his HIV status. Breaking the Surface is a riveting exploration of Greg Louganis's journey, fraught with adversity, yet punctuated with moments of triumph as he ascends to become one of the world's greatest Olympic divers. It is a testament to resilience, courage, and the indomitable spirit of a man who refuses to sink, no matter how hard the plunge.

Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story is a drama movie featuring Mario López and directed by Steven Hilliard Stern.

It is possible to buy Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story on Amazon Video.