Greg Louganis, diving
Greg Louganis was a world-class, award winning diver. In his career he won five world championships, four Olympic gold medals, and one Olympic silver medal. He competed in three different Summer Olympic Games including 1976, 1984, and 1988.
It was that very same year that Louganis was diagnosed as HIV positive. In an interview with ESPN, Louganis said of his initial diagnosis, “At the time I was diagnosed [in 1988], we thought of HIV as a death sentence. It was six months prior to the Olympic Games, and I was like, “Well, I’m going to pack my bags and go home and lock myself in my house and wait to die.” Had they known about my HIV status at the ’88 Olympics in Seoul, I would have never been allowed into the country.”
Today, Louganis speaks out about HIV/AIDS awareness and helps to progress the research for treating the disease. He has been living a healthy life with HIV for 28 years.
Rudy Galindo, figure skating
Rudy Galindo was an internationally famous figure skater who competed in both singles and as a pair with the champion, Kristi Yamaguchi. The pair would go on to win many figure skating championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s. After the pair split, Galindo would go on to compete in many major competitions, achieving world renowned prestige as an athlete.
The coach that paired Galindo with Yamaguchi, Jim Hulick, passed away from AIDS-related cancer in 1989. In 1994, his brother, George, also died of AIDS-related complications. Rudy Galindo was diagnosed with HIV in 2000 and has been living with the virus ever since. He currently serves as a coach in San Jose and actively works to build awareness for HIV/AIDS research.
Arthur Ashe, tennis
In the world of tennis, Arthur Ashe was a legend and a champion. Ashe battled opponents, winning multiple singles titles He is the only African-American man to win at the U.S. Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon. Outside of tennis, Ashe dedicated his life to fighting injustices around the world by being an activist for human rights.
In the 1980s, Ashe found himself in a losing battle with HIV/AIDS after contracting the disease from a blood transfusion he received during heart bypass surgery. After announcing that he contracted HIV/AIDS in April 1992, Ashe continued working towards helping others while educating them about HIV. On Feb. 6, 1993, Ashe died from AIDS-related pneumonia. He was 49 years old.
If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to HIV, or you are simply looking for a regular screening, you should have HIV testing performed. This is the best way to know the current status of your sexual health.
