Pichler Wins Despite Feud With Coach

A five-year feud between Olympic diver David Pichler and his former coach Ron O’Brien continued this week at the U.S. National Diving Championships at Mission Viejo Aquatics Complex.

Pichler, 31, recently filed a protest to keep O’Brien off this year’s Olympic coaching staff. However, early last week U.S. Diving rejected the complaint saying it was without merit. Pichler filed a similar protest against O’Brien in 1996 that also was thrown out.

“I find no reasonable reason why he should be on the team,” Pichler said. “I will not tolerate him on the pool deck.”

O’Brien’s presence didn’t seem to affect Pichler Saturday; he won both the 10-meter platform title and the synchronized platform title with fellow Olympian Mark Ruiz.

Pichler said his problems with O’Brien began after he left the coach in 1995. He ended the relationship because he didn’t agree with O’Brien’s training style. Since then, Pichler said he has been involved in several incidents with O’Brien and his son Tim O’Brien. Pichler cited one incident at a meet in 1996, in which he said Ron O’Brien grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away as Pichler was preparing for his final dive.

“He’s extremely harsh,” Pichler said. “He has grabbed me, jerked me and threatened me. At the 1996 Games one of his athletes cried every day on the pool deck. I don’t feel safe when he’s around.”

O’Brien, who was at Saturday’s event, would not comment.

Jim Stillson, chairman of U.S. Diving’s Olympic International Committee, released a statement saying, “United States Diving is extremely fortunate to have Dr. Ron O’Brien supporting our Olympic team. David Pichler has objected to Dr. O’Brien’s role as the technical advisor to the Olympic staff. U.S. Diving has reviewed David Pichler’s complaint and found it without merit. We strongly support Dr. Ron O’Brien and are grateful for his ongoing assistance to our Olympic coaching staff.”

Pichler said he is being singled out by U.S. Diving even though, while the Olympic team was on a recent tour, a vote was taken and, according to Pichler, all seven divers and several coaches agreed that they didn’t want O’Brien in Sydney.

“For the rest of the team to stand up, and also the head coach, there is obviously a situation, and not just with me,” Pichler said. “I’m the only outspoken one. Everyone is afraid to speak up, because they don’t want to go through what I have.”