Richard Thornton, a U.S. Olympian and the head coach of San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984, died at the age of 65 after collapsing on the beach while surfing in Santa Cruz, California, on Thursday. His death was confirmed by his family. Thornton, who had also boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Russia, was a renowned figure in the Bay Area swimming community. He passed away doing what he loved, according to his brother.
US Olympic swimmer who boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Russia dies at surf venue https://t.co/AEY8eVzmZZ
US Olympian and Bay Area swim coach Richard Thornton dead at 65 https://t.co/GdDDTD3psk
US Olympian and swimming coach Richard Thornton, 65, dies while surfing https://t.co/zCy0eBHMP3 https://t.co/wE8LhBSn16
US Olympian and swimming coach Richard Thornton, 65, dies while surfing in California, as his brother says he passed away 'doing what he loved' https://t.co/Z65XE9DfOg https://t.co/ZUAMsvHiE7
U.S. Olympian Richard Thornton collapsed and died on a California beach Thursday, his family says. He was 65. https://t.co/Zf3gARubEY
US Olympian Richard Thornton dead at 65 after collapsing on beach in California https://t.co/j7C822CLFX https://t.co/86jV6PVfix
Former Olympian, legendary Bay Area swim coach Rich Thornton dies at 65 on Santa Cruz Co. beach https://t.co/1QRfbiGpJl https://t.co/GirVbSmcfC
Former US Olympian and Bay Area swim coach dies in Santa Cruz https://t.co/2p7k27cT06
Rich Thornton died Thursday as he stepped into the ocean in Santa Cruz County, preparing to go surfing. https://t.co/ocs25E6mjS https://t.co/ocs25E6mjS
Former Australian spy dies after collapsing while trying to row 4,800km in epic race across the Atlantic https://t.co/Kyaqc6PO9l https://t.co/1cCQf6AucU
Richard Thornton, head coach of San Ramon Valley Aquatics since 1984, died in Santa Cruz, his family said Thursday. https://t.co/cyvqoR1QNd
U.S. Olympian and Bay Area swim coach Richard Thornton dies while surfing in Santa Cruz, family says. https://t.co/8iZjzoFK2c