Dara Torres

Post #105 Dara Torres July 7, 2008

The “Grandeur” turns two years old this week. That’s a 105 straight weeks of ridiculous ranting brought to a computer near you. And speaking of the whole age thing, how about that Dara Torres lady? She just qualified for the Olympic Games next month where sees going to swim the 50 meter freestyle, 4 x 100 medley relay and 4 x 100 freestyle relay: at age 41. This is one incredible human being.
Torres made her first Olympic appearance way back in 1984. That was also the year that Michael Jordan began his NBA career. Just to give you some perspective. She also competed in the 1988, 1992, 2000 games. Her competing this year will make her the first American swimmer to compete five times. She is also racked up nine medals including four gold’s. She’s done broadcasting work for a variety of television networks and has modeled in Sports Illustrated as well. That’s rounds out a pretty impressive resume.
Now the first we think about is when hear about Torres is “gosh, maybe I could be in better shape.” Granted, Torres is blessed with the kind of athletic ability that happens in about one in every couple million people. But she reminds us, that even though we think we’re past our prime, we could still probably go an extra five or ten minutes on the treadmill every other day. Oh by the way, she also became a mom for the first time a couple years ago. So come on, let’s try a little bit harder.
The second we think is what we think anytime someone does extraordinary at a more advanced age. “They’re on something.” It happens time and again. An athlete does good, slides a little then makes a great comeback when everyone else starts to fade away for good. It’s the world we live in. After the height of the steroid era, any incredible feat is looked upon with suspicion. No one can escape it, including Torres. She said she is clean and undergoes regular urine and blood test to prove it. We’ll never know for sure and we’ll always have the conspiracy theorists that will doubt her.
Hopefully she is clean because this is one incredible feat. This mom has cruised past 40 and still is going strong. Maybe she’ll inspire some of the rest us to get moving ourselves.