Openly gay, former Olympian's advice to athletes

(CNN) - Two-time Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis struggled with sexuality as a professional athlete. The former diver took home gold medals in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. A few years later, he came out as a gay man living with HIV, all documented in the new film "Back On Board."

"It was bad enough being gay growing up in the United States, and, you know, I didn't have legislation against who I was as a person," said Louganis.

Louganis is referring to Russia's strict law banning so-called "gay propaganda," which will be in full effect at the Sochi Winter Olympics in a few weeks.

The White House announced no one from the administration will attend the 2014 games, though several openly gay American athletes will travel to Russia as part of the U.S. Olympic delegation.

Louganis said current Olympians can also do their part to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

"If they are successful and they are interviewed, then dedicate your performance to your openly gay, you know, aunt, uncle," said Louganis. "That's how we can support the LGBT community in Russia."

The former Olympic diver does not support boycotting Sochi – he himself missed out on the 1980 Olympics in Moscow because of the U.S. boycott.

"I don't feel that Olympic boycotts work. They hurt the wrong people," said Louganis.

"But when you talk about commerce and business, that works," said Louganis. "Take it out on the sponsors, what the heck."