Dara just one the national title in the 100M Freestyle in 54.4 at the ripe old age of 40. Simply Incredible. :applaud: :woot:
If that's not inspiring I don't know what is.
...And here are a few other over-40 athletes who competed at the top level of their sports:
Aladar Gerevich (fencing)
The only athlete ever to win medals at six Olympics, Gerevich is also the only athlete to win the same event six times. In 1952, at age 42, he collected one of each medal at the Helsinki games. In 1956 and 1960 he collected two more gold medals to bring his total medal count to 10. His skills in fencing remain legendary as he competed at the highest levels into his 50s.
Matthew McGrath (hammer throw)
An Irish-American policeman who competed in four Olympic Games, McGrath took the silver medal in the hammer throw at the Paris Games in 1924 at age 45.
Eugenio Monti (bobsleigh)
The nine-time world champion in bobsleigh throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Monti won his only gold medals at age 40 for Italy at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games.
Martina Navratilova (tennis)
Perhaps the greatest female tennis player to pick up a racquet, Navratilova has the most wins ever on the WTA circuit, collecting a staggering 18 career major singles titles. At age 46, she won two major mixed-doubles titles in 2003 (the Australian Open and Wimbledon). All told, she has collected eight doubles titles since turning 40.
Oscar Swahn (riflery)
"The Oldest Olympian" competed in his first Games in 1908 at age 60, winning two gold medals and a bronze in shooting events. In 1912 he added another gold medal and a bronze, and in 1920 at age 72 he collected a silver medal.
...And here are a few other over-40 athletes who competed at the top level of their sports:
Aladar Gerevich (fencing)
The only athlete ever to win medals at six Olympics, Gerevich is also the only athlete to win the same event six times. In 1952, at age 42, he collected one of each medal at the Helsinki games. In 1956 and 1960 he collected two more gold medals to bring his total medal count to 10. His skills in fencing remain legendary as he competed at the highest levels into his 50s.
Matthew McGrath (hammer throw)
An Irish-American policeman who competed in four Olympic Games, McGrath took the silver medal in the hammer throw at the Paris Games in 1924 at age 45.
Eugenio Monti (bobsleigh)
The nine-time world champion in bobsleigh throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Monti won his only gold medals at age 40 for Italy at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games.
Martina Navratilova (tennis)
Perhaps the greatest female tennis player to pick up a racquet, Navratilova has the most wins ever on the WTA circuit, collecting a staggering 18 career major singles titles. At age 46, she won two major mixed-doubles titles in 2003 (the Australian Open and Wimbledon). All told, she has collected eight doubles titles since turning 40.
Oscar Swahn (riflery)
"The Oldest Olympian" competed in his first Games in 1908 at age 60, winning two gold medals and a bronze in shooting events. In 1912 he added another gold medal and a bronze, and in 1920 at age 72 he collected a silver medal.
