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Greg Louganis stands on the diving board, high above the pool at the
1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. As he plunges towards
the water, Greg hits the board, cutting his head open. As he splashes
into the water, Greg begins to have flashbacks to his childhood and of
being ridiculed by the children in his neighbourhood. It's clear that greg is not accepted by his peers, or even his own father. Greg's father, Pete, thinks his son is a fool for practicing his dives. We learn that Greg and his sister Depina were both adopted. Both children are eager to win the attention of their parents. Greg makes the diving team at school. His coach, John Anders, is a sensitive and caring man whom greg greatly admires. Anders feels that Greg is so talented, he should enter the Junior Olympics. For the first time ever, Greg's dad is impressed with his son but Pete will now push Greg relentlessly to practice. Several years have passed and greg is still an outcast, getting into trouble at school. Greg's diving has become so good, his coach feels there is little more he can teach him. Anders recommends that Greg move to Arizona to train with former Olympic gold medalist Sammy Lee. Greg can't understand that this is a complimment; he feels instead as if he is being abandoned by his freind and coach. Greg reluctantly leaves home to train with Sammy, a much more abrasive man than John Anders. He pushes Greg, both physically and mentally. The psuhing pays off, at least for Greg's career, as he competes in the 1976 Olympics and wins a silver medal. When Greg returns home after the Olympics, he is suddenly the most popular guy in school. He leaves Sammy's coaching and begins to work with Ron O'Brien. One of Ron's other students is Megan Neyer. The two bond immediately and become good friends. A short time later, Greg learns he has a full scholarship to college. Greg begins college and is diagonsed with dyslexia, finally explaining years of frustration in school. He takes drama class and meets Kevin, a man who becomes his live-in boyfriend. The pressures of hiding his homosexuality from the public are too much for Greg and Kevin, and the two break up. Greg then wins the 1982 World Championships and finishes college.
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Greg's parents divorce and shortly after, he learns his father is ill. Tom is also sick and is soon discovers he has AIDS. Greg also tests positive for the HIV virus. Greg confides in his coach who supports him completely; he continues to train for the olympics as the doctor tells him he poses no risk to the other athletes.
The 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul have begun and we are now back at the beginning of the story. In one of the most dramatic scenes in Olympic history, Greg slams his head into the board as he plunges into the water during one of his dives. Nervous about his medical condition, Greg is most worried about anyone coming into contact with his blood. The doctor stitches Greg up and assures him his bandage is waterproof and will be safe. Greg amazingly returns to competition and wins two more gold medals.
Greg's dad is now very sick with cancer. Greg breaks up with Tom after realizing he's been using him all these years. Tom is now furious that Greg is leaving him anf threatens to go public with greg's HIV status. There is a lawsuit and Greg agrees to take care of Tom finacially until he dies, which happens a short time later.
Realizing he doesn't have much time to live, Pete wants to return home and be away from the hospitals and treatments. Greg finally is able to truly make peace with his father, who lives only another week. With Megan's support, Greg decides to go public with every aspect of his life.