born Jan. 29, 1960, San Diego, Calif., U.S.
U.S. diver, considered the greatest diver in history.
He was trained early in dancing, tumbling, and acrobatics. During his diving career, he won an unprecedented 47 national and 13 world championships, including two Olympic gold medals (1984) and one silver (1976). In 1982 he became the first diver ever to earn a perfect score of 10, and the following year he received 99 points in springboard competition. He was known for his graceful, effortless style. In 1995 he revealed that he had AIDS.