41-Year-Old Swimmer Makes Olympic History

Sports41-Year-Old Swimmer Makes Olympic History41-Year-Old Swimmer Makes Olympic HistoryThe Associated PressDara did it. The 41-year-old will be the oldest woman ever to compete in Olympic swimming after finishing first in the 100-meter freestyle event at the Omaha trials. (July 4)((TRACK))((SUPER: Omaha, Neb.)) ((PICS added in WDC)) ON A NIGHT WHEN MICHAEL PHELPS BROKE ANOTHER WORLD RECORD, DARA TORRES STOLE THE SHOW.THE 41-YEAR-OLD POSTED A TIME OF 53-POINT-7-8 SECONDS, TOUCHING THE WALL FIRST IN THE 100-METER FREESTYLE EVENT.SHE BESTED NATALIE COUGHLIN, A SWIMMER 16 YEARS HER JUNIOR, AND A FIELD FULL OF TWENTY-SOMETHINGS.BEIJING WILL BE HER FIFTH GAMES.HER FIRST WAS IN 19-84.NINE MEDALS AND TWO RETIREMENTS LATER, SHE'LL BE THE OLDEST WOMEN TO EVER COMPETE IN OLYMPIC SWIMMING.((SOT))((SUPER: Dara Torres/U.S. Swimmer))'I was shocked when I touched the wall. I could not see the scoreboard. With my age, I was like, 'Gosh, what does that say?' Then, I heard the announcer, and I could kind of see it like, blurry. But, they need to make those numbers bigger for people my age. // I'm shocked. I don't think it's really hit me yet that I'm on a fifth Olympic team. I walked into drug testing and Ryan Lochte and Aaron Piersol and Phelps are in there and I was like, 'Whoa, I'm with them.'((SOT))((SUPER: Michael Phelps/U.S. Swimmer))'You know, Dara. Yeah. As I call her, my mom. You know, at 41. She's 41 right? 41 with a kid?'((SOT))((SUPER: Dara Torres/U.S. Swimmer))Reporter: 'Michael was in here earlier and he referred to you as his second mom. What can you say about that?'I like to be referred to as a big sister to my teammates, although I am as old as some of their parents. // I feel like I'm on their level on one hand. On the other hand I have a lot of experience and I'm maybe not on their level. I actually take that as a compliment that he refers to me as the mom there. But, I don't know if the kids actually think that. Maybe aunt. Go with aunt.'((STANDUP))((SUPER: Jason Bronis/Omaha, Neb.))'Torres isn't finished here in Omaha. She'll look to make history again by qualifying for the Olympics in the 50-meter freestyle event over the weekend. JB, the AP, Omaha, Neb.'

Channel: Sports
Uploaded: December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm
Author: AssociatedPress

Length: 01:57
Rating: 4.96
Views: 54725

Tags: 41-year-old history lessons makes olympic swimmer swimming

Video Comments

jlebesis (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

She has inspired many, achieved things many won't in their lives, and is a wonderful human being. What are you doing with your life...besides typing stupid messages on here?

mikehuntichez (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

butchdyke

Dallouez (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

OK she is great! But why trash Phelps? Is it because he's a male? Or maybe white? Would you guys trash a Black because a white woman won a metal? What a bunch of gender bias pricks!

bristol911 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

cosmici

musicaldramaqueen (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

Mine too and I'm not even a swimmer!

cptblake (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

The # 1 athlete at these games

mulker47 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

somnambulist.....I never said I played in the NFL. I was a backup linebacker from 1990-93, bouncing around in Canada and American Minor Leagues. I should have worded it as "former" versus retired as I clearly still work and barely made any money from football. However, I don't resort to profanity in my posts.

swimmer1098 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

shes my idol x]

somnambuIist (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

I guess well educated and well paid people can argue pointlessly on youtube as well as the rest of us "regular" folks, but I find it hard to believe you played professional football. Someone who really did wouldn't usually bring it up in an internet argument because they know no one would believe them.

mulker47 (December 31, 1969 at 5:59 pm)

somnambulist.....The truth hurts, I guess. You can't really "hide" behind fake screennames, so I would suggest you at least don't graduate from profanity to terroristic threats. I am being honest, here. I know so many people who use tiny doses of hormone replacement to heal injuries. Read my earlier posts, too. I said I am a big fan of hers and hope she is clean. If me earning a nice living and being educated bothers you, then pay no mind to me. Calling me names doesn't bother me in the least.