Ratko Rudić (born 7 June 1948 in Belgrade[1]) is a Croatian water polo coach and a former water polo player. As of 2012[update], he has won 36 medals as a coach at major events, making him the most successful water polo coach ever.[2]
Playing career
Rudić played for the Yugoslav water polo team. At the 1968 Olympics he was injured before the tournament and was unable to play with his team which went on to win the gold medal. At the World Cup in 1975, he was falsely accused of doping, and so the entire Yugoslav national team was disqualified. Only after a subsequent investigation proved that Rudic did not take any banned substances, he and his team were exonerated.[3] At the Olympic Games in 1980, he won the silver medal.
Coaching career
During his career Rudic coached four national teams: Yugoslavia (1984–1988), Italy (1990–2000), USA (2000–2004) and Croatia 2004-2012). With three of these teams he became world champion. He also coached three teams to Olympic gold medals (1984, 1988, 1992 and 2012). He currently coaches the Brazilian team.
