went to my high school! Congrats and much-deserved!!!!
Edwin Moses and Janet Evans were standouts too, in the same class as Louganis IMO, and they were overlooked. I remember Moses having a winning streak that spanned over a decade. I remember watching the young Evans totally crushing her competition in the 1988 Olympics (if my memory serves well). I don't think it is fair to assume homophobia on General Mills' part.
I do think all three well deserve a Wheaties box. I am surprised they weren't so honored before.
I do think all three well deserve a Wheaties box. I am surprised they weren't so honored before.
Congratulations, Greg. You are someone I have admired as an athlete and as an individual. This recognition is long overdue. I can't tolerate the gluten in the cereal, but I will buy a case and donate it to my local food pantry. You can be an inspiration to a new generation of young people.
For those who ask "Why Edwin Moses?" or "Who is Edwin Moses?":
Moses won gold medals in the 400m hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. There was no American participation in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Between 1977 and 1987, Edwin Moses won 107 consecutive finals and set the world record in his event four times.
There were none better, or classier...
Moses won gold medals in the 400m hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics. There was no American participation in the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Between 1977 and 1987, Edwin Moses won 107 consecutive finals and set the world record in his event four times.
There were none better, or classier...
1
It's about time Greg, Edwin, and Janet got the tribute they deserve. Way to long overdue.
I respect his accomplishments, but his cowardice and career obsession put others at risk. Considering the honor goes to athletic achievement and "what they do in their communities" , I think General Mills was right to deny him the honor. True, times have changed, but when it mattered, his character failed him. The recent movie "The Bronze" offers a good insight into how "striving for excellence" can mar a person's character when taken too far.
I guess the LBGT community is happy. GL overcame difficulties, but I see no reason to honor him this way.
As a former diver at the University of Washington, and one who also severely smashed his head on the diving board, I'm pleased for Greg and thankful to General Mills for this recognition of one of the worlds greatest all-time athletes, and America's greatest diver. Congratulations to Louganis and thank you to General Mills. I'll soon be off to the store to buy some Wheaties.
Bravo, bravo, bravo!
3
Why did General Mills take so long? Because he was gay. No other reason.
5
It's been a long time coming. Well deserved all three!!
I'll buying several boxes!
4
Another sign of my memory playing tricks on me, I swore I had seen him on a Wheaties box back in the late '80s.. ooops.
It's a long overdue, hard earned tribute.
It's a long overdue, hard earned tribute.
1
So refreshing to read an article about a thoroughly nice man more interested in saying nice things about his fellows than dwelling on past injustices. He deserves all the good things happening to him now and I wish him a long healthy and happy life with his partner.
7
The pandering illustrators have forgotten that each dive begins by standing on the edge of the platform.
(It's an actual action photograph.)
1
Janet Evans' smile makes life worth living.
As someone who prefers seeing athletes move through the water horizontally more than vertically, I'm glad to see boxes of the Breakfast of Champions sporting Janet Evans on the front. Like Greg Louganis's photo, however, an action photo of Janet - maybe a head-on shot of her in the middle of a butterfly stroke - would have been more appropriate. Nevertheless, I'll be buying a box or two of her edition, for display, not for consumption.
2
My memory of Greg Louganis was that he was a classy guy.
4
This is long over due. Congratulations Greg.
6
How does General Mills go about all of this? A couple of old white straight men in a secret location?
1
Why tell the doctor that he, Louganis had AIDS? After all why give the doctor a chance to been extra careful while stitching up the wound with a needle? After all, all that mattered was Louganis. Everyone else didn't matter. So what if the doctor pricked themselves? This guy should have been jailed not celebrated.
Not to justify his decision, but it was a time of ignorance and fear. Let's not forget the backlash from fellow players that greeted Magic Johnson after he revealed he was HIV+.
Why not tell the doctor? Perhaps because the fear surrounding HIV/AIDS at that point was completely overblown. Now, it's just another disease. At that time, it was virtually a death sentence, and people were absolutely scared of it. Princess Di was noted for shaking the hands of kids with AIDS without gloves...It was seen as borderline insane/huge sign of courage to face that. Imagine the fear that Ebola caused last year. Now, apply that to HIV/AIDS. That was the fear back then.
Also, chances are very high he would have not been allowed to participate any further in the games if he'd told the doctor.
Also, chances are very high he would have not been allowed to participate any further in the games if he'd told the doctor.
A moving story, long overdue tributes, a wonderful, inspiring effort by Ms. Sondgerath. THANK YOU, General Mills. Thank you, Ms. Sondgerath. Congratulations and thank you to Mr. Louganis, Mr. Moses and Ms. Evans, three superb athletes, three tremendous Olympians, three great human beings. Some times the good guys DO win! What a beautiful story this is!
19
I'm glad Louganis got his "Wheaties" boxtop, not because he's gay but because he was an awesome diver. I couldn't care about Casius Clay being on the box because he was nothing more than a "draft-dodger"!
5
So an Olympic Gold medal and being three time Heavy Weight Champion is "nothing?" Is that because of the color of his skin, or ,his religion, which you seem to be incapable of acknowledging?
2
And using your logic I'm glad Muhammad Ali got his box because he was an awesome boxer.
5
Along with millions of other American men including George Bush.
5
What shocked me most when reading this article is that Wheaties still exists. I haven't been down the cereal aisle at my supermarket in over a decade and had forgotten all about that iconic orange box. Thanks for the trip down memory land; both for the cereal and the athletes.
6
This is great news and well deserved! Congratulations to Greg and all the other athletes who have been overlooked!
16
They all deserve their medals and accolades, but I hope their accomplishments are among their favorite memories.