Three Olympic medals won by diver Greg Louganis brought in a combined $430,865 at RR Auction on Thursday night, blowing away the auction house’s estimates.
The two golds and one silver were estimated to be worth at least $80,000, but having the chance to own the medals of the greatest American diver of all time led to a bidding war for his two golds.
.@greglouganis didn't consider himself a competitor. He was a performer.
— cllct (@cllctMedia) July 16, 2025
How he honed that mindset all the way to the ???? pic.twitter.com/24teqip4U2
His 1988 gold from winning the 10-meter platform in Seoul sold for $201,314, and his gold from the 3-meter springboard in 1984 in Los Angeles sold for $199,301.
Louganis’ first medal, a silver on the 10-meter platform at Montreal in 1976, sold for $30,250.
“I hope they bring joy to whom ever got them,” Louganis told cllct before the sale. “I would be more than happy to share stories about them, each one has a unique journey.”
Louganis said he is at a stage in life when he needed the money. He is selling his house and is looking forward to being in a different space.
“This will also help me to get more secure footing on my new adventure,” he said. “I have learned a part of growth is letting go the past, and letting go of all attachments is true freedom.”
“Greg Louganis’ Olympic medals performed exceptionally well in tonight’s auction, reflecting the strong market demand for Olympic memorabilia from legendary athletes,” said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR. “When an Olympian decides to part with their hard-earned medals, it’s typically a significant personal decision, and we’re proud to have achieved such strong prices for Greg.”
Louganis missed out on a chance to add more medals during the early part of his career as a result of the United States’ boycott of the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow.
Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.