March 18, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
Former University of South Carolina swimmer Gary Binfield passed away on Saturday in Buford, Ga. Binfield was a four-year letterwinner and 15-time All-American in multiple events for the Gamecocks in the late 1980’s.

“I had the privilege of being Gary’s teammate for four years,” former Carolina swimmer and assistant coach Wade King said. “I believe Gary was the most talented and versatile swimmer in Carolina history. He was a fierce competitor and great guy. He will be missed.”

Binfield competed for the Gamecocks from 1985-89 and swam as part of the Great Britain team at the 1988 Summer Olympics is Seoul, South Korea. At the time of his graduation, he owned four individual school records and was part of two of Carolina’s top relay teams. Binfield still ranks among the Gamecock greats as he is the second-best performer in Carolina history in the 200 IM, third-best in the 400 IM, fifth in the 100 backstroke and sixth-best performer in the 200 backstroke. Binfield also ranks as one of the top relay participants in Gamecock history.

Binfield coached at both the University of Georgia and Brown University.