GREG LOUGANIS in the 1988 Summer Olympics (Pascal Rondeau/Allsport)

Greg Louganis, “the greatest diver” ever, will serve as celebrity grand marshal for the annual Strawberry Festival Parade set for Saturday, May 23 in Garden Grove.

Louganis is the winner of four Olympic goal medals – two in 1984 and two more in 1988 – and his appearance is part of the “Celebrating The Olympics” theme for the 62nd annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival to be held in and around the Village Green Friday through Monday May 22-25.

The 2020 Summer Olympics are to be staged in Tokyo, Japan, from July 24-Aug. 9.

“It is my great honor to be selected as Grand Marshal of the 62nd Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival’s parade,” said Louganis, 60, in a  statement.

“I am very grateful for my career and the opportunities I have been given and feel it’s important to give back. The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association is a perfect example of a volunteer organization,

GREG LOUGANIS

which gives back to their community by raising monies at their annual festivals, which is then awarded to deserving non-profits serving the citizens of Garden Grove. At the end of the day, that’s what life is all about, giving back.”

Louganis has earned a total of five Olympic medals, all in diving. Additionally, he’s won five world championships and 47 national titles.

In 1988, he tested positive for HIV, and “came out” as a gay athlete at a time when homosexuality was still considered taboo by many people.
But in time, he received more acceptance and in 2016 he received a Wheaties cereal box cover for the diving career and in 2017 was the first openly gay grand marshal of the Rose Parade in Pasadena.

For more about the parade and the festival, go to www.strawberryfestival.org .