Dara Torres - Still a swimming champion at 41
April 8th, 2009 - 11:15 pm ICT by GD
It is simply amazing how the most unexpected contender of the game takes away the trophy. The case is quite similar to that of Dara Torres who at the age of 41 has made a terrific comeback in the world of swimming.
Dara made her comeback in the sports which she had ruled for almost over three decades. Around 25 years ago Torres made her presence felt in the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games, where she had won a gold medal in the 4×100m freestyle.
At that point of time she was just 17 years old and had much fire in her to continue with her excellent winning streaks. She fitted perfectly into the mould of a swimming champion. Other than the Olympics held in 1996 and 2004, Torres had won successive games at the Olympics and made it a point to hone with at least one gold medal. At the Sydney Games in 2000, inspite of being the oldest competitor in the American swimming squad, she won five medals - three bronze and two gold, both individual and relay.
Way back then Dara was 33 years of age. In all the games what remained constant was her confidence as an Olympic champion. For this reason she was even able to overcome the glaring age difference between her and the other team members. Her spirit can truly be saluted since she voluntarily agreed to undergo drug screening program to allay any fears or accusations of performance-enhancing drugs.
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Tags: 17 years, 33 years, accusations, competitor, dara torres, drug screening, freestyle, gold medal, inspite, medals, olympic champion, olympics, performance enhancing drugs, screening program, summer games, sydney games, team members, three decades, unexpected contender, winning streaks