Dara Torres-Amazing

The 24.56 that she posted at USMS SC Nationals in 2006 shortly after giving birth to her daughter has me convinced that she is not cheating. I am assuming that she wouldn't have been endangering her child by "juicing" during her pregnancy or during nursing. Hence, this time is very impressive given her physical condition at the time (she could be seen walking somewhat gingerly around the deck). I think we can agree that she was not in the optimum condition to swim competitively given the circumstances. It is my guess that this performance has not been achieved by any other 39 year old female swimmer so soon after giving birth. In fact, it could also be called an anomaly. I highly doubt that she was benefitting from performance enhancing drugs right after giving birth. I think that Dara Torres' swimming talent is the true anomaly. Take perhaps the best technical female freestyler, add in a 6+ foot frame, and a focus on conditioning that we have not seen from a 40 year old female swimmer before...then I think you end up with performances like we saw at Olympic Trials (regardless of age). I choose to be impressed with what I saw and to reserve judgement where no proof otherwise exists. Remember, not a lot of "ultra elite" swimmers have attempted what she has. Many Olympic champions throughout history simply gave it up after their first Olympic triumph because they were not granted the resources that are available to today's Olympic heroes and most others did not entertain thoughts of an historic "comeback" such as this. Perhaps it was the 2006 USMS performance that gave her the confidence that it could be done and that it was worth pursuing. Having said all that, it is also not fair to say that fans should not be suspicious. Because of today's performance enhancing climate, unfortunately, everyone (not just those with extraordinary accomplishments) needs to be scrutinized. For now, random testing and testing during championship events is probably the best way to achieve this.

The 24.56 that she posted at USMS SC Nationals in 2006 shortly after giving birth to her daughter has me convinced that she is not cheating. I am assuming that she wouldn't have been endangering her child by "juicing" during her pregnancy or during nursing. Hence, this time is very impressive given her physical condition at the time (she could be seen walking somewhat gingerly around the deck). I think we can agree that she was not in the optimum condition to swim competitively given the circumstances. It is my guess that this performance has not been achieved by any other 39 year old female swimmer so soon after giving birth. In fact, it could also be called an anomaly. I highly doubt that she was benefitting from performance enhancing drugs right after giving birth. I think that Dara Torres' swimming talent is the true anomaly. Take perhaps the best technical female freestyler, add in a 6+ foot frame, and a focus on conditioning that we have not seen from a 40 year old female swimmer before...then I think you end up with performances like we saw at Olympic Trials (regardless of age). I choose to be impressed with what I saw and to reserve judgement where no proof otherwise exists. Remember, not a lot of "ultra elite" swimmers have attempted what she has. Many Olympic champions throughout history simply gave it up after their first Olympic triumph because they were not granted the resources that are available to today's Olympic heroes and most others did not entertain thoughts of an historic "comeback" such as this. Perhaps it was the 2006 USMS performance that gave her the confidence that it could be done and that it was worth pursuing. Having said all that, it is also not fair to say that fans should not be suspicious. Because of today's performance enhancing climate, unfortunately, everyone (not just those with extraordinary accomplishments) needs to be scrutinized. For now, random testing and testing during championship events is probably the best way to achieve this.