US Olympian and swimming coach Richard Thornton, 65, tragically passed away after suffering a medical emergency while surfing at a popular Santa Cruz spot, according to his brother Marc Thornton. The incident occurred this week, leaving the swimming community in shock and mourning.

Richard Thornton, a member of the US Olympic swim team in 1980, unfortunately experienced the boycott of the Moscow Summer Games that year. Despite this setback, he went on to make significant contributions to the sport as a coach. Since 1984, Thornton had been leading the San Ramon Valley Aquatics, nurturing young swimming talents and guiding them to success.

The news of Richard's passing came as a shock when his younger brother, Marc, shared the heartbreaking information on Facebook. Marc shared that Richard died while surfing at The Hook in Santa Cruz, doing what he loved most. The Santa Cruz surf spot is a cherished and popular destination for surfers of all levels.

Richard Thornton's love for the world of swimming extended beyond coaching. He also had the opportunity to coach the US national and junior national teams in prominent locations such as Paris, Japan, and Brazil. This exposure allowed him to share his expertise and passion for swimming worldwide.

Born with an athletic spirit, Richard was a graduate of UC Berkeley, where he earned his bachelor's degree. His father, Nort, also had a significant impact on the swimming community as a swim coach at the university for over three decades. The Thornton family has been deeply rooted in the sport, with Richard carrying the torch forward in his coaching career.

The news of Richard Thornton's passing has left a void in the swimming community, with Pacific Swimming expressing their condolences in a statement. They regarded his untimely demise as a significant loss to the swimming fraternity.

As friends, family, and swimmers mourn the passing of Richard Thornton, his legacy as an Olympian and passionate swimming coach will continue to inspire future generations. His contributions to the sport will be remembered, and his spirit will live on through the athletes he mentored and the memories he left behind.