Dara Torres-Amazing

Does anyone care that this thread has the second most posts behind only Ande's blog? I just thought I would try and divert the topic since I'm a thread-jacker.:-)

If she is on PEDs then she is the most amazing liar I have ever seen. She is holding her daughter on the award stand. She is challenging everyone to not only beat her, but prove she is a liar. She is on national TV smirking at her critics. Got to admire her chutzpah. As to her critics on the forum, not one of you has answered the most important question; What would you have her do to comfort you? It dosen't seem like she cares to lose to appease.

I have read some outstanding results for the Smith boys does this throw doubt on them. No it does not.

I have read some outstanding results for the Smith boys does this throw doubt on them. No it does not. They are slower now than they were in college. Dara has dropped over a second in the 50 free since she held the world record.

hohsda

So, Paul and John, These three World Records....whether they be relay lead offs or individual does NOT matter.....on those given days and until the next person bettered that mark Dara Torres was the fastest woman on Planet Earth. Would you agree that at that time she owned the event? I personally believe that she owned those events, but then I am also an optimist and believe she is clean. Slipping into semantics Tracy, OK she "owned" the 50 record for 18 months 1983/1985....but what we are saying is that "owning" an event is in the realm of YEARS...Phelps unbeaten in 6 years holding the record that entire time, Carl Lewis in track, Mary T in fly, Janet Evans in her distance events, Lance in the Tour...I would even suggest that Popov's 50 record held for 8 years is "owning" but debatable because as some have pointed out it was done in a time trial. For the record...not to many people holding on to the 50 free world record, and none that came back 18 years after they set it to equal or better (show me this is the case in any other sport?): en.wikipedia.org/.../World_record_progression_50m_freestyle

You know Paul, this has gone way beyond questioning. You have essentially said that what Dara Torres has done, cannot be done without cheating. Perhaps I am missing some subtle difference between questioning and accusing. I am fine with the fact that you don't believe that she should be able to swim and look like she does. I can tell you that at 38 years of age, I have pretty dramatically changed my physique just by changing my eating habits and swimming. I know at least two women who have dramatically changed their physiques in middle age just by changing diet and workout. One of them was a world class marathoner as a young women and neither was a couch potato. I choose to believe that she is doing this legally (and ethically) until there is at least a shred of real evidence. Well said. How many 41 year olds are 10 pounds lighter and more flexible than they were 8 years before? Josh Davis is 35. He swam 20.14 in Austin in 50 free. Could he drop 1 sec in six years if he followed a training program like Dara's? That would be an interesting experiment. I bet he could EASILY break 20 if he dedicated himself to it. Isn't Ande Rasumussen at or near lifetime bests at 45? It isn't his fingernails.

Maybe a little jealousy going here???? LOL Since Tall Paul's time was 21.69 and the GoodSmith's time was 21.30 at SC Nats and her time converts to 21.12???????? JK Smith boys....no ganging up on me.......:bolt:

I have read some outstanding results for the Smith boys does this throw doubt on them. No it does not. Why not? It is naive to think that there is not PED use in Masters swimming. This does not, however, constitute an accusation.

They are slower now than they were in college. Dara has dropped over a second in the 50 free since she held the world record. Wasn't Dara bulimic and doing mega-distance (relative to modern sprint training ala GHJ) in college?