Missing 92-Year-Old Olympic Diving Champ Found In Pico Rivera
HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com) —A 92-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist in diving who went missing Monday afternoon was found more than 24 hours later in Pico Rivera.
Sammy Lee was discovered by deputies from the sheriff's Pico Rivera station around 9 p.m. when someone spotted an elderly driver swerving through traffic in the 8400 block of Washington Boulevard.
Authorities identified Lee as the motorist, who they described as a little disoriented, but in good health.
Gina Lee, Lee's daughter-in-law, was emotional when she spoke about the champion coming home.
"We're just gonna give him a big hug. It could have been worse. But he'll be home," Gina cried.
Lee, who suffers from dementia, heart problems and diabetes, left his home in Huntington Beach around 3 p.m. Monday for his regular swim at Los Caballeros Sports Club in Fountain Valley.
His family said they didn't hear from him after his usual activities.
Police reported that Lee purchased gas around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Mojave area and around 5 p.m. in Studio City.
In 1948, Lee became the first Asian American to win a gold medal.
He became the first man to ever win back-to-back gold medals in platform diving in 1952.
