In case you’ve been living under a rock or partied a little too hard this weekend, the big news on the sports scene (besides Federer getting whomped by Nadal and the Williams sisters’ show at Wimbledon) is 41-year-old swimming sensation Dara Torres, who has qualified for her fifth Olympics by breaking the American record in the 50-meter freestyle. At 41! And after retiring four years ago and having a baby!
In his interview with her this morning, Matt Lauer of the Today Show (after admitting that, after 40, his knees began hurting him) prodded her about the possibility of performance-enhancing drugs contributing to her remarkable record. Her response? No way. Bring on the blood and urine tests, she said, vowing to provide ample proof that she’s clean.
She attributed her success to a great team of coaches, trainers and advisers, which is probably very true. You don’t get to be an athlete at that elite level without a small army of caretakers. And I’m sure that doesn’t come cheap. But she is the current poster child for the movement promoting health and fitness at any age.
You go, girl! I’m suddenly a whole lot more interested in watching the Olympics than I was last week. And I’m dusting off my walking shoes!