41-Year-Old Swimmer Makes Olympic History

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Sports41-Year-Old Swimmer Makes Olympic History41-Year-Old Swimmer Makes Olympic HistoryThe Associated PressDara did it. The 41-year-old will be the oldest woman ever to compete in Olympic swimming after finishing first in the 100-meter freestyle event at the Omaha trials. (July 4)((TRACK))((SUPER: Omaha, Neb.)) ((PICS added in WDC)) ON A NIGHT WHEN MICHAEL PHELPS BROKE ANOTHER WORLD RECORD, DARA TORRES STOLE THE SHOW.THE 41-YEAR-OLD POSTED A TIME OF 53-POINT-7-8 SECONDS, TOUCHING THE WALL FIRST IN THE 100-METER FREESTYLE EVENT.SHE BESTED NATALIE COUGHLIN, A SWIMMER 16 YEARS HER JUNIOR, AND A FIELD FULL OF TWENTY-SOMETHINGS.BEIJING WILL BE HER FIFTH GAMES.HER FIRST WAS IN 19-84.NINE MEDALS AND TWO RETIREMENTS LATER, SHE'LL BE THE OLDEST WOMEN TO EVER COMPETE IN OLYMPIC SWIMMING.((SOT))((SUPER: Dara Torres/U.S. Swimmer))'I was shocked when I touched the wall. I could not see the scoreboard. With my age, I was like, 'Gosh, what does that say?' Then, I heard the announcer, and I could kind of see it like, blurry. But, they need to make those numbers bigger for people my age. // I'm shocked. I don't think it's really hit me yet that I'm on a fifth Olympic team. I walked into drug testing and Ryan Lochte and Aaron Piersol and Phelps are in there and I was like, 'Whoa, I'm with them.'((SOT))((SUPER: Michael Phelps/U.S. Swimmer))'You know, Dara. Yeah. As I call her, my mom. You know, at 41. She's 41 right? 41 with a kid?'((SOT))((SUPER: Dara Torres/U.S. Swimmer))Reporter: 'Michael was in here earlier and he referred to you as his second mom. What can you say about that?'I like to be referred to as a big sister to my teammates, although I am as old as some of their parents. // I feel like I'm on their level on one hand. On the other hand I have a lot of experience and I'm maybe not on their level. I actually take that as a compliment that he refers to me as the mom there. But, I don't know if the kids actually think that. Maybe aunt. Go with aunt.'((STANDUP))((SUPER: Jason Bronis/Omaha, Neb.))'Torres isn't finished here in Omaha. She'll look to make history again by qualifying for the Olympics in the 50-meter freestyle event over the weekend. JB, the AP, Omaha, Neb.'

Category: Sports
Uploaded: July 4th, 2008 @ 11:13 pm
Author: AssociatedPress

Length: 01:57
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Views: 46,207

Tags: 41-year-old history lessons makes olympic swimmer swimming

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