Why Is 'Supermom' Getting the Bonds Treatment?

If it weren't for McNamee, maybe we'd still be happily naive about sports doping
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 6, 2008 7:29 AM CDT
Why Is 'Supermom' Getting the Bonds Treatment?
Dara Torres holds her daughter Tessa, 2, wearing her medal for the women's 100-meter freestyle after the US Olympic swimming trials Friday, July 4. Torres, 41, qualified for her fifth Olympic games.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Some are calling five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres "Supermom," but Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star thinks that "Wonder Woman" might be more appropriate. Everyone's wondering how a 41-year-old new mother could come back from retirement and surgery to take first place at her fifth qualifiers. Blame the gathering cloud of skepticism on Brian McNamee.

If Roger Clemens' former trainer hadn't exposed the pitcher's (and his wife's) alleged steroid use, maybe we'd all be a little more trusting. Before BALCO, people might have delighted in Torres' feat—instead of beginning immediately to ask questions about her use of asthma medication. The more impressive the athletic feat, the darker the cloud that immediately shadows it. (More swimming stories.)

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