Dr. Walter J. Krickich definitely has an eye for athletics.
The Hickory High School graduate, who has a private practice (eye care) in Cartersville, Ga., was selected by the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Sumer Olympic Games to be a member of the Olympic medical team.
Krickich will serve as chairman of the Olympic Vision Committee and work at the Polyclinic at Georgia Tech University until Aug. 7.
That's all well and good for Krickich, who really enjoys athletics.
``I love working with the athletes; it's a dream for me to work with the greatest athletes in the world,'' said Krickich, who competed in basketball, golf and cross country for three years at Hickory. ``I still jog, lift weights and stay active in athletics.''
Krickich, a son of Walter and Julie Krickich, Hermitage, will provide primary eye care for the Olympians _ having available glasses, contacts and frames _ for the athletes and coaches who need them, plus emergency care also.
Krickich and his wife, Rachel, live in Kennesaw, Ga., where he will be opening his second eye care office soon.
Krickich graduated from Hickory in 1973 then attended the University of South Florida, where he majored in pre-med. He served his internship at Emory College in Atlanta and has been in the ``Peach'' state every since.
``Atlanta is a fun town; a booming town,'' said Krickich. ``It's a growing area that's getting bigger and bigger.''
The Olympic games will have more than 10,000 athletes from 197 countries competing. Krickich and his staff will probably see around 2,000 athletes over the next three weeks.
``This will be a great experience for me,'' said Krickich. ``To volunteer my time for my country, and the world, is something I will never forget.''
published Thursday, July 18,1996
