Tuesday, July 8, 2008

MORE FOR US TORREADORAS™



Here's a very good video profile of Dara Torres which was created by ESPN prior to her recent wins, giving an overview of her regimen. Interestingly, it includes Michael Phelps AGAIN calling her "Mom", so it's a jibe he's doing persistently. From her tone, you can tell she's fed up with it. Aside from that small section, it's a great video.









Yesterday's news included this AP story:

"Dara Torres has dropped the 100-meter freestyle from her Beijing Olympics schedule, choosing to make the 50 free her only individual event in her record fifth games.

"The 41-year-old sprinter's decision was announced Monday by USA Swimming. Torres will be replaced in the 100 free by Lacey Nymeyer, who finished third at the trials.

"Torres had expressed concern that competing in two individual events and possibly two relays during the eight-day competition would be too hard on her body. She won the 50 and 100 freestyles at the trials, and her last Olympic appearance was at the 2000 Sydney Games."

Lacey Nymeyer's opportunity is good for us all, as she's a major competitor. And of course Natalie Coughlin, who's won in this category before, will still be swimming. Leave it to Torres to share her wealth and not try to grab all the slots herself -- something a certain male swimmer probably cannot begin to comprehend.

As promised, here's the video of Dara Torres swimming the 50 meter freestyle on 6 July 2008. It's a seven minute video, but worthy.



And, for all of us becoming Torreadoras™, here's her personal website.


2 comments:

Liza Cowan said...

I suppose 41 is old for a swim champ, but sheesh! These interviews make it seem like 41 is actually old, which it isn't. And they seem shocked that a woman can "recover" from having a kid and get back in shape. What a mysoginist set of beliefs. No wonder 41 year women don't try to beat world records. The cultural odds are already stacked against them. Doubly so if they are mothers.

kat said...

Hasn't she had 2 really huge surgeries in the last couple of years (I think it was rotator cuff and knee?)? Recovering from those and swimming faster than ever before seems waaayyy more remarkable than getting back in shape after a baby. You hear all the time about athletes whose careers end because of rotator cuff injuries.