Olympic swimmer dies after collapsing on beach 'following buddy down steps'

06 January 2024 , 18:53

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The legendary coach's family said he died doing what he loved (Image: X/Cal Men's Swim & Dive)

Olympic swimmer Richard Thornton died on Thursday after he “collapsed into the water” on a Californian beach whilst heading out surfing with his friend.

Richard’s family confirmed the 65 year-old, who had been diagnosed with cancer, did not die in a surfing accident and added that the cause of his death is unknown. The Thornton family said that the son and father, who was receiving treatment for Multiple Myeloma died doing what he loved. "He could be in a hospital for six months with an oxygen tube, losing weight and all that," his brother Marc told ABC 7. "What a way to go for someone who loved the beach and being in the water."

Richard was about to jump into the sea at Santa Cruz when his friend turned around to see him looking “at peace” before he fell into the sea. “He was following his buddy down the steps,” Marc said. “His buddy jumped in the water, looked up for Richard, and Richard was just standing there at peace, not clutching his heart or anything, and he just kind of collapsed into the water.”

His family said that he was not planning to give up his swimming and surfing despite his recent diagnosis adding that being in the water was still “a major part of his joy, that’s for sure.” Richard qualified for the 1980 Moscow Olympics but unfortunately never competed due to the US boycotting of the games after Russia invaded Afghanistan.

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The Olympic qualifier died on Thursday (Kenneth Grimes/Facebook)

Richard looked ''at peace'' as he collapsed into the Santa Cruz sea (Team USA)

Swimming ran in the family, as Richard’s father Nort Thirnton, was also a legendary coach in California, and after Richard’s swimming career he followed in his father’s footsteps. Richard then worked as a coach for Sam Ramon Valley Aquatics for many years and mentored a handful of Olympic swimmers to success, including Matt Biondi, who won a total of 11 medals, including eight gold medals in three Olympic games between 1984 and 1992.

Richard’s childhood friend, Rob Werner, also talked of the athlete’s passion for his sport since an early age. "I remember him telling me, in between meets or after meets or after the season, we were like let's go surfing,” Rob said. "I yelled from the stands after he won, 'Richard, what are you going to do now?' And he kind of goes like this in a surfing stance. He wanted to go surfing. That was his thing, man."

The legendary coach's family said he died doing what he loved (X/Cal Men's Swim & Dive)

Marc also posted to Facebook announcing his brother’s death: “Sorry for having to share this information, but Richard Thornton passed away surfing today at The Hook in Santa Cruz. Doing what he loved. More to follow, but wanted to let everyone know. Thanks, Marc Thornton.” Richard himself, was no stranger to success in his time and picked up a range of accolades over the years, serving as head coach for the 1995 US World Championship in Rio de Janeiro and acting as assistant coach on the US Junior National Team in 1994.

Emilia Randall