Dara Torres nails the inspiration thing

BEIJING -- Now that Dara Torres, the world's fastest mom, has seen her quixotic dream to compete in the Olympics at age 41 pay off with three silver medals, she was asked to put in perspective what it all meant.

But it wasn't what she said that mattered most. It was how she said it.

"I think I'm going to cry," Torres apologized as she attempted to answer.

"To me, if it helps anyone out there who is in their middle-aged years and has put off what they wanted to do because they thought they were too old or because they have a child and they can't balance what they want to do with being a parent, then that's great," she said. "What I've done is show them that you can do it. I'm absolutely thrilled."

And it could have been better because Torres lost the 50 freestyle Sunday by a fingernail -- one one-hundredth of a second -- to Germany's Britta Steffen.

"I gave it my best shot," Torres said. "I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have filed my nails last night."

-- Kevin Baxter

Photo: Dara Torres was joined by her daughter, Tessa, on the podium during the awards ceremony for the women's 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Omaha on July 6. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

Comments

[Charles Ferrari]

I absolutely love this lady! As far as I'm concerned, she's the best story in the Olympic games thus far. I'm as impressed as anyone else by her age, dedication, focus, training, etc. But, what really got me was the fact that, moments before the start of her 50M semi, she held up the start of the race so that one of her competitors could fix her swimsuit. What an incredibly classy thing to do. This lady is a true champion.

[truthy ruthy]

After viewing her recent interviews and seeing her display of "great sportsmanship" in trying to "help" Terese Alshamar, attracting as much media attention to herself...(that performance was NOT for Terese! )...I suddenly remembered why I don't like Dara Torres.

After the 2000 Olympics, I reluctantly spent quite a bit of time around her...a fly on the wall, so to speak. At least, that's how she treated ME. She couldn't stop talking and promoting herself.
I see in the recent interviews, the same Dara. I really laugh every time I see her. She can't have an interview now without throwing in an offer to work for the network...in a starring role, and she can't stop throwing in an age-related quip. She is doing the same things she was doing in 2000, and it's disgusting and funny.

I have heard from inside source that Dara threw an ENORMOUS tantrum after finishing second in the 50, refusing to swim the relay. Every US coach was there trying to find a solution to the Dara Torres diva crisis. Good sportsmanship??????

OK. Speaking of 2000. Look at pictures of her body. Look at her body now. Completely different. No one can say that's a postpartum result. Anyone who's ever had a baby can say that you can't break an American record in ANYTHING 3 weeks after childbirth.
If this woman is an "open book," then why doesn't SOME reporter ask her to tell us what she DOES take...under oath...lie detector!!!

Whenever interviewed, she says, "I don't take performance enhancing drugs." What does she take? ....everything, now folks....Give us all some!!!!

Has anyone seen or heard of her husband? Do you wonder WHY she has never mentioned him? Does anyone know what he DOES for a living? He runs an HGH clinic in Florida! DUH!!!!!

I'm sorry, but the dots are connecting all too well.

P.S. I am not a swimmer.