Dirkie Binneman was a South African cyclist who represented the Paarl Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club. From 1942 to 1945 Binneman won four consecutive editions of the club’s annual Boxing Day 25 mile race, held on its outdoor track. His solid performances earned him a place on the Olympic team, where he competed in the road race at the 1948 London Games. His older brother Hennie was also a noted cyclist who won the road race at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney. Tragically, Dirkie was only 40-years-old when he was swept off a rock by a wave and drowned at Gordon’s Bay, Cape Town in June 1959.
South Africa