Richard John CAREY

Rick Carey was the greatest backstroke swimmer in the world in the early 1980s. At four consecutive major internationals – the 1982 World Championships, the 1983 Pan Americans, the 1984 Olympics, and the 1985 Pan Pacifics – Carey won the backstroke triple, winning gold in the 100 and 200 backstrokes, and the medley relay. In 1983 he was named Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World. At the 1984 Olympics, after winning the 200 backstroke, Carey was sullen in a televised interview because he had not broken the world record, was chastised in the press for his attitude, and then apologized to the American public in his next interview after winning the 100.

During his career Carey set nine world records, including five individual world marks, three in the 100 in 1983, and two in the 200, his final world record coming at the 1984 US Olympic Trials. He also set 27 American records and won seven NCAA titles while swimming at the University of Texas. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1993.