Dara Torres-Amazing

Could be a paradigm shift in training, but if so few would have the resources that she does to hire the support staff this method seems to require. For the sake of argument, look at GHJ and Neil Walker. Both are world class sprinters in their 30's, neither of whom have ever retired from the sport. They train in different programs (The Race Club and Longhorn Aquatics). Neither made the Olympic team. And neither swam personal bests or set new ARs at the trials. I believe it is more like that she is 1) an anomaly, or 2) juiced. The fact that others may not have her resources does not negate the fact that she may be on to something. Many people don't have the resources for various medical proceedures, but we do need to know about them. Furthermore, if (a big "if") she is really on to something, then it would behoove USA Swimming to try to find the resources to implement this for the elite swimmers - certainly, if we didn't do it, another country would. The fact that others didn't take time off may actually be against them, e.g. wear and tear, fatigue - both psychological and physical. Also, keep in mind that various studies have shown that pregnancy can have a positive athletic effect - GHJ, et al don't qualify there. I believe: 1) Dara Torres is a statistical outlier WRT her ability. 2) She may be a bit OCD/narcisistic (sp?), but that's usually somewhere in the elite mix. 3) She is training a number of years ahead of her competition OR, even if she doesn't know anything more than the current state-of-the-art, she is implementing it all. 4) Yes, she has money. On the way to work this AM, I heard the head of the USADA state that she'd have to be insane to submit to the amount of testing that she has, especially since they can freeze it and retest later. I also note that no one has ever associted her with any known drug conduits. I realize that this means little, but keep in mind that most of the people who have tested positive have had that taint. Until someone comes up with an argument other than "no one can do it" , "no one else can do it" or "it's never been done before", I see little reason to denigrate her accomplishment - being wary of it is fine, but bashing her on the basis of the above is pointless. -LBJ

Could be a paradigm shift in training, but if so few would have the resources that she does to hire the support staff this method seems to require. For the sake of argument, look at GHJ and Neil Walker. Both are world class sprinters in their 30's, neither of whom have ever retired from the sport. They train in different programs (The Race Club and Longhorn Aquatics). Neither made the Olympic team. And neither swam personal bests or set new ARs at the trials. I believe it is more like that she is 1) an anomaly, or 2) juiced. The fact that others may not have her resources does not negate the fact that she may be on to something. Many people don't have the resources for various medical proceedures, but we do need to know about them. Furthermore, if (a big "if") she is really on to something, then it would behoove USA Swimming to try to find the resources to implement this for the elite swimmers - certainly, if we didn't do it, another country would. The fact that others didn't take time off may actually be against them, e.g. wear and tear, fatigue - both psychological and physical. Also, keep in mind that various studies have shown that pregnancy can have a positive athletic effect - GHJ, et al don't qualify there. I believe: 1) Dara Torres is a statistical outlier WRT her ability. 2) She may be a bit OCD/narcisistic (sp?), but that's usually somewhere in the elite mix. 3) She is training a number of years ahead of her competition OR, even if she doesn't know anything more than the current state-of-the-art, she is implementing it all. 4) Yes, she has money. On the way to work this AM, I heard the head of the USADA state that she'd have to be insane to submit to the amount of testing that she has, especially since they can freeze it and retest later. I also note that no one has ever associted her with any known drug conduits. I realize that this means little, but keep in mind that most of the people who have tested positive have had that taint. Until someone comes up with an argument other than "no one can do it" , "no one else can do it" or "it's never been done before", I see little reason to denigrate her accomplishment - being wary of it is fine, but bashing her on the basis of the above is pointless. -LBJ