Binghamton University swimming and diving coach Benji DeMotte has bolstered his program with yet another premier international recruit. One year after bringing in an Olympian from China, he has successfully recruited not only an Olympic athlete — but a bronze medalist from China.

Huijue “Joy” Cai (pronounced tsigh), who earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, will join DeMotte’s 2002-03 women’s team with sophomore eligibility. Cai, who swam as part of China’s 400 medley relay in Atlanta, was a teammate of current BU swimmer and NCAA Division I All-American Yun Qu. It was Qu who played a key role in Cai’s decision to come to Binghamton.

“It was our hope when we brought in athletes at this level that they would open up a ‘pipe line’ for future recruits,” DeMotte said. “Qu knew Cai from the Olympic team, and that contact started us on our way.”

“We’re all very excited about another world-class athlete deciding to come to Binghamton,” said Athletic Director Joel Thirer.

Cai swam the butterfly leg on the Olympic relay in 1996, and also placed seventh in the 100 fly. She was ranked as high as No. 5 in the world in the 100 fly.

“She will certainly make an immediate and substantial impact on our program — especially in the shorter events (100 fly, 50 free, 100 free),” DeMotte said. “ She has produced times underneath the current America East records — times that would qualify her for the NCAA Championship.

“In addition, Cai makes our dual meet team much better as she can represent three wins each meet. She also brings Olympic experience and work ethic to the pool every day, which will help our entire team.”

“I expect that Cai will demonstrate the same athletic and academic drive that Qu has,” Thirer said. “She realizes that she is fortunate to have an opportunity to further her education while continuing to swim competitively.”

Qu was an instant success both in the pool and in the classroom last season, where she maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in the spring. She rewrote BU’s swimming records and became the school’s first NCAA Division I All-American.

In 2002-03, DeMotte will have 10 international student-athletes from seven different countries swimming for the Bearcats. Binghamton’s men are the defending America East runners-up, and the women figure to be much stronger with the addition of Cai.