Olympics

'72 silver medalist helps local diver on path to London Games

PITTSBURGH — A local man who won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich has helped another local diver who is preparing for London.

Richard Rydze won a silver medal as a member of the United States diving team in the 1972 games.

“I recall training on that one and three meter ones. I competed in platform diving,” Rydze said about the diving boards. “My silver medal was for platform diving, the 10-meter platform.”

Rydze’s dive was a front 1 1/2 summersault, twisting three times before hitting the water from 30 feet up.

“It seems like forever when you leap off the board. When I was watching the recent trials they pointed out that you hit the water at 35mph,” Rydze said.

Cassidy Krug, of Coraopolis, will compete in the 3-meter springboard competition. Rydze helped with Krug’s childhood training.

“I’ve actually coached her a few times when she was smaller,” Ryzde said. “She has excellent promise. She’s a strong diver and has wonderful techniques. She’s going all the big dives so she’s doing to be very competitive.”

Krug’s father, Julian, is the head diving coach at Pitt.

Be sure to watch all of the 2012 Summer Olympics on Channel 11.