Gus Kenworthy, a trailblazing Olympic skier with a historic record in multiple disciplines, joins legendary diver Greg Louganis, a five-time Olympic medalist and LGBTQ+ advocate. They candidly discuss the evolution of inclusivity in sports and the ongoing challenges LGBTQ+ athletes face. With personal tales of resilience and triumph, they reflect on their emotional Olympic journeys, the significance of representation, and the need for mental health support. Laced with humor, they share their creative passions, underscoring the power of authenticity and community.
Gus Kenworthy and Greg Louganis highlight the shift towards inclusivity for LGBTQ+ athletes in sports, emphasizing their historic achievements and ongoing advocacy.
The podcast discusses the mental health challenges faced by athletes, underlining the importance of open conversations to support marginalized individuals in sports.
Deep dives
The Journey of Inclusivity in Sports
The discussion highlights the evolution of inclusivity for LGBTQ+ athletes in sports, focusing on the changes that have occurred over the years. Olympic athletes Gus Kenworthy and Greg Louganis share their experiences in an environment that was not always welcoming to LGBTQ+ individuals. Kenworthy emphasizes the significance of his outings, particularly as he became the first openly gay man to compete for the U.S. in the Winter Olympics, which showcased a shift in societal acceptance. Both athletes stress the importance of continued advocacy and the responsibility of current athletes to pave the way for future generations.
Significant Olympic Memories
Kenworthy recounts his memorable experience during the 2018 Olympic opening ceremony, where he met fellow competitor Adam Rippon, and they became the first two openly gay men to represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics. This moment of solidarity and friendship was particularly poignant given the challenges they faced in their careers. Louganis shares his fondest memory from the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, where he achieved a perfect score during a competitive routine despite personal struggles at the time. Both athletes reflect on the joy and pressure associated with representing their identities on such a grand stage.
Overcoming Personal Struggles
The episode addresses the mental health struggles faced by both Kenworthy and Louganis during and after their Olympic careers. Kenworthy narrates the pressure of living in the public eye while keeping his sexuality a secret, leading to a tumultuous emotional experience. Louganis candidly discusses the feelings of inadequacy and the shadow of suicide he faced after initial successes, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness in athletics. Their experiences underline the necessity of open conversations regarding mental health to support athletes, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
Creating Supportive Communities
Kenworthy and Louganis both emphasize the responsibility of the broader community in advocating for inclusivity in sports, particularly for trans athletes facing challenges today. Their call to action includes creating safe spaces for open conversations, promoting understanding, and providing support for young athletes. They highlight how sports can foster connections that transcend societal barriers, allowing individuals from various backgrounds to unite through shared passions. By collectively addressing prejudice and misinformation, they aspire to create an environment where all athletes feel welcomed and valued.
Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy and Olympic diver Greg Louganis visit Google to discuss what it’s like to thrive as an athlete on the world's biggest sporting stage, how things have evolved for LGBTQ+ competitors, and what work remains in the quest to create a more inclusive world for future generations of rising queer athletes.
Gus Kenworthy is known as one of the best all-around park skiers of all time and is one of the only athletes to have podium finishes across all three disciplines: slopestyle, halfpipe, and big air. In 2014, Gus won a silver medal for Team USA at the inaugural slopestyle of the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. At the 2018 Olympics, Gus made history by becoming the first openly gay man to compete for the U.S. in a Winter Olympics. In 2015, Gus came out on the cover of ESPN Magazine, becoming the first openly gay professional athlete in any action sport.
Greg Louganis is considered one of the greatest divers in history. With a total of 5 Olympic medals, 5 World Championship titles, 6 Pan American titles and 47 national titles, his records remain unbroken. Greg is the only male to win gold medals on both 3 meter springboard and 10 meter platform in consecutive Olympic Games. Today he is a coach, speaker, author, actor, activist and humanitarian as he continues his tradition of excellence.