At 41, Torres Makes 5th Olympics

Ageless US swimmer makes a splash in the record books
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 5, 2008 6:05 AM CDT

Dara Torres swam her way into the history books with a victory in the women's 100-meter freestyle trials last night, reports the New York Times. The 41-year-old will be the first five-time swimmer in Olympic history. She shot past 25-year-old American record holder Natalie Coughlin to finish in 53.78 seconds—almost 5 seconds faster than when she first qualifed in 1984.

Torres, who was already the oldest woman to make the American team when she qualified in 2000, came out of a 7-year retirement last year. "I'm ecstatic. I can't believe it," she said after the race. She admits the prospect of another Games has her as nervous as a teenager, but many think her fifth Olympics will put her medal collection into the record books as well. (More swimming stories.)

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