Since I am in the Dixie Zone, I was perusing the results of meets this weekend and saw that Dara Torres, who turned 40 on Sunday, went 21.91 in the 50 free and 48.34 in the 100 free this weekend in St. Petersburg this past weekend. I guess that she is serious about this comeback. It will be interesting to see how she can do long course.
Since I was at Y Nationals, I looked up results to see how she would have done against the men. There was one 31 yo who was faster in both the 50 and 100 and a 45 yo who was faster in the 100 by a small amount. Pretty incredible.
I wonder how hard Dara has been training to this point? If she's only semi-serious at this point look out!
It will be interesting to see what happens if she does make the Olympic team. I think most people will be impressed and very supportive, but I bet there will be some people who feels she's "stealing" a spot from a younger athlete who hasn't been to the Olympics before.
They might say the same thing about 40 year old Gail Devers, who's back in great form at age 40 in the "dryland" sprint events. Hers is an amazing story as well - she had a severe health issue, yet now at age 40 is on top of the world again in the sprints. I would love to see Devers make the 08 Olympic team in track and Torres make the 08 Olympic team in swimming. That would show those young upstarts!
That's a feat for a guy let alone the woman!
Yep. My husband had to wait on me while I was on bed rest for baby #3. My own training regime was lifting water and food to my mouth and holding a book. Oh, and taking RX drugs. It was so rigorous that I finally decided to become two people again. Then my husband went back to training. I started my un-rigorous swimming regimen about 5 years later.
I hope Dara kicks ass.
I wonder how hard Dara has been training to this point? If she's only semi-serious at this point look out!
It will be interesting to see what happens if she does make the Olympic team. I think most people will be impressed and very supportive, but I bet there will be some people who feels she's "stealing" a spot from a younger athlete who hasn't been to the Olympics before.
Kirk that drives me nuts ... one thing I LOVE about swimming is how clear cut it is ... top 2 (or 6) go ... If Dara is top 2 or 6 then she deserves to make the team AND what an inspiration to the other swimmers that it's not over when you're 20 or 25 or whatever ...
Once Dara retired the last time, she signed a retirement form in essence. If a swimmer decides to un-retire, they must notify FINA and USA swimming about their intentions to try to compete at the elite level again. Once this has happened, they are put back on the drug testing list. Before they can compete in swim meets for their respective federations, they must go through a nine month waiting period.
Her 9 month period will be up sometime this summer or early fall. The rule requiring her to wait only applies to USA swimming not masters swimming. That is why she hasn't been in any USA meets. I actually met her masters coach in Coral Springs in Dec. He said once the waiting period is over, she will be in USA meets.
If she makes the team, by finishing top 2 or 6, I don't understand how that can be considered stealing a spot, when she met the guidelines. If a younger person felt they deserve the spot, then they should trainer harder to earn it.
The USA history for 50 SCY Free is available here.
Her 21.91 ties for 12th fastest ever. It is faster than her previous lifetime best of 22.26. Dara's time is faster than Natalie Coughlin's best!
Simply stunning.
Speaking of older athletes who accel, here is a link to Ray Sharp's blog. Ray was my roomie when we lived at the Olympic Training Center. He is now 46 or 47 and still making U.S. teams in racewalking. He has a shot at the Oly team in the 50k walk. He's also a wonderful person.www.rayswalkingdigest.com
-LBJ
I don't have time to read that article now, but I already know the answer. How is she depriving someone else of their chance? Can't they beat her? Oh, they can't? THEN THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM!!! Give me a break. I hate to open this can of worms, but it's almost age discrimination against Dara. "Oh, yes you are the fastest, but you've already been to the Olympics, let someone younger go instead." What crap is that?!?
Dara, you make that Olympic team, girl! I want to see your baby in the stands cheering you on! OK, they're probably too young to know, but you get the idea ;)
PS In 2012 your baby will be 4, that's old enough to know! Swim in that one too :woot:
I don't have time to read that article now, but I already know the answer. How is she depriving someone else of their chance? Can't they beat her? Oh, they can't? THEN THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM!!!
Exactly. Read the comments when you have the time because they will piss you off.
