Former U.S. Olympian and Swim Coach Richard Thornton Dies at 65

Thornton, who had been battling Multiple Myeloma, collapsed while preparing to surf in Santa Cruz, California.

Richard Thornton, a former U.S. Olympian and renowned swim coach, died at the age of 65 while preparing to surf at a beach in Santa Cruz, California.
Thornton was a member of the U.S. men’s Olympic swimming team in 1980, but did not compete due to the U.S.-led boycott of the Moscow games.
He served as the head coach of San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984, coaching several future Olympians, including eight-time gold medalist Matt Biondi.
Thornton had been battling Multiple Myeloma, but the exact cause of his death is still unknown.
His death has been mourned by the swimming community, with tributes pouring in from Cal Athletics and those he impacted in his coaching career.