The first time I learned about Dara Torres was during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. I was awestruck at the fact that a 40-year old is attempting to compete at the world's biggest stage, to say the least. But then again, Torres wasn't just in it for the ride. The mere fact that she qualified for the Swimming competition for the United States Olympic Team is proof of her extreme fitness level.
Photo from Wikipedia
Prior to Beijing, Torres was already an American swimming legend, winner of four gold medals, a silver medal and four bronzes spanning 4 Olympics - from Los Angeles 1984 to Sydney 2000. At age 15, Torres set her first American national record at her best event, the 50m freestyle. The California-raised Torres had nothing left to prove in the sport. But almost two decades since her competitive debut, Torres was at her 5th Olympic Games - a stellar feat in itself.
And lo and behold, the mother to a then-two year old daughter did not just come along to Beijing for the ride. There was to be no forgettable races as Dara did not fade quietly into the sunset. Instead, she fought fiercely, winning an astounding 3 silver medals in the 4x100m freestyle, the 4x100m medley and the 50m freestyle.
She lost the gold medal in her best event, the 50m freestyle, in the most infinitesimal of margins. Germany's Britta Steffen won by a 0.01s. Steffen was barely a year old during Torres' Olympic debut in the 1983 Los Angeles Games!
Indeed, Dara Torres is a Superb Señora!
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