Torres wins 100m free, is headed to fifth Olympics

Dara Torres, 41, is headed to her fifth Olympics after winning the 100-meter freestyle in 53.78. Natalie Coughlin was second in 53.83.

"I was very surprised that I won, but I was happy. If this was her first event, it probably would have been as different story," Torres said of Coughlin’s busy event schedule.

They played "American Woman" over the public-address system after Torres won and she spoke of her reaction about going to the Olympics, saying, "I started crying."

Then she added, "I’m ecstatic. I can’t believe it ... it’s sort of bittersweet for me. I made my fifth Olympic team, but I’m going to be away from my daughter for a month and that’s really hard emotionally."

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: A smiling Dara Torres is hugged by Emily Silver after winning the final of the 100-meter freestyle. Credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images