Torres Shows She's a Good Sport, Then Blows Away the Field

Posted Aug 15, 2008 11:02PM By JJ Cooper (RSS feed)

Filed Under: USA

Dara Torres is old enough to be most of her competitors' mother, so it's fitting that she is serving as the swim world's matriarch.

The final seconds before a swim race are all about focus. And that's never more true than in the 50-meter freestyle. One slight hesitation at the start and you're finished, because there just isn't enough water to make up for an early mistake.

So that makes what Torres did Friday night seem so unexpected.

As the eight swimmers for Torres' semifinal headed out to the blocks, Sweden's Therese Alshammar's suit ripped. At first Torres tried to help her fix it, but when it became clear that Alshammar's suit was too far gone to be saved, Torres ran over to the side of the pool to flag down an official to make sure that they didn't start the race until Alshammar had run off and gotten changed.

Alshammar rushed back to the blocks in her new suit. Torres settled down, refocused, hopped up on the blocks and then blistered the rest of the field, getting off to the best start on her way to recording the best time of anyone in the semifinals.

Coming into tomorrow, she's the favorite to win the gold, even if she's 41.

Old woman Torres is already an unreal story, but what jumped out is how she's clearly feeling no pressure. Even though she's never won an individual gold, the reality is that she's not supposed to be here, so all of this is just an extra helping of dessert on what's already been an unreal career. And so if it means helping out a fellow swimmer or joking with her competitors, Torres is happy to do it.

Dara Torres Snapshots

US swimmer Dara Torres competes during the women's 50m freestyle swimming heat at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 15, 2008. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Australia's Cate Campbell (L) and US swimmer Dara Torres competes during the women's 50m freestyle swimming heat at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 15, 2008. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Cate Campbell of Australia (L) and US swimmer Dara Torres (R) competes during the women's 50m freestyle swimming heat at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 15, 2008. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Cate Campbell of Australia is congratulated by Dara Torres (R) of the U.S. after their women's 50m freestyle swimming heat at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (CHINA)

Reuters

United States' Dara Torres reacts after a women's 50-meter freestyle heat during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dara Torres of the U.S. jumps into the pool at the start of her women's 50m freestyle swimming heat at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CHINA)

Reuters

United States' Dara Torres prepares for a women's 50-meter freestyle heat during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dara Torres of the U.S. looks at the scoreboard after swimming in the women's 50m freestyle heats at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 15, 2008. REUTERS/Shaun Best (CHINA)

Reuters

Reader Comments (Page 8 of 12)

141

8-16-2008 @ 10:15AM

Pam said...

I am proud to be an American when I hear a story like Dara Torres. I am sure their are a lot more we are not hearing about. She stands proud and confident in her age, a quality that makes her my hero!

142

8-16-2008 @ 10:16AM

RockieShell said...

She is an inspiration and a kind person. 41 is not an "old lady" and she proves it.

143

Karen said...

I am so proud to say Dara is from my town. I am a marathon runner in my 40's and she is such a great role model for all women!!!!

144

Shelley said...

More people should show the class that this lady has in every day life! She's shown what real CLASS is all about. KUDOS!!

145

Heidi said...

This is a nice story. She could have been uncaring but wasn't. I like that she stopped the ref from starting the race until the woman could change her suit. I have to smile at the mom part coming out. It's so cool. I can only imagine her kids saying Mom! Your at the Olympics! Your embarrassing us! She should get a gold medal for being a mom. It's nice to see with all that training, she still is at heart a mom. I bet that Therese Alshammer remembers the caring as one of the bright spots of the Olympics. I would.

146

8-16-2008 @ 10:18AM

shane said...

Yeah okay Mari. You seem to have your fingers right on the pulse of that one. Could you be more ignorant or blind to how things work? You should inform yourself onstead of making bizzare opinions with no validitiy! A rip in a swimmers suit has no metaphorical signifigance to us being at war! Your clearly young or retarded!

147

8-16-2008 @ 10:32AM

Rebecca said...

The poster said "age is just a number" - truer words were never spoken. I say KUDOS to this classy lady and the best of luck to you in all your endeavors!

148

8-16-2008 @ 10:23AM

janedidnt said...

maturity is true beauty. vote for john mccain. he knows about pressure, too. it rings true.

149

8-16-2008 @ 10:22AM

And I might add that my daughter, who is 23, would have done the same for the ripped swimsuit woman, if she were an olympic swimmer, and she is not a mother, nor is she an "old lady".

150

8-16-2008 @ 10:21AM

Hailey D said...

Dara....way to go. Us older generation of folks were brought up to help someone without any expectation of recognition or reward. Also it was the right thing to do. Imagine if you were the one whose suit was torn, after years of training, family sacrifice, and being the proud representative of your country. And they went on without you! Heartbreak, disappointment and defeat. The Olympics are meant to break down barriers between countries and people. Dara did this with style and fairness in her sportsmanship.

This is why we are the USA, world leaders and are free to do just this. Congratulations from a proud over 65 fan.

PS. Have you thought about a VP position?
Ambassador to the UN? Hmmmmmm.

Thank you for your pride in country for the world. Hailey D in rainy Florids.

151

Sue said...

Now that is the example of American spirit to be proud of !

152

8-23-2008 @ 6:26PM

swimmom89 said...

Dara Torres is an all-around athlete, she tries her best for herself, and the people around her. My daughter is a swimmer and acts of kindness like that before a race are just a true judgement of character and sportsmanship. Dara Torres is not just a middle aged mom, shes a amazing rolemodel for all athletes-Kathy Herman Chicago

153

8-16-2008 @ 10:31AM

wendy said...

dara our home town girl is gold!!!thanks for making us proud!

154

8-16-2008 @ 11:17AM

stoner4570 said...

Great job Dara! American people do go out of their way for others in the world! :-)

155

8-16-2008 @ 10:28AM

Traci said...

Dara gets my vote for showing "USA nice" in such a negetive time of life. Thanks for making us (United States) look great. More people should show more acts of kindness like this. And as for "old" I don't think so.... I'd like to see the youngseters of the world get away from junk food & video games and use this "old-lady" as an example. Go USA you are making us all proud.

156

8-16-2008 @ 10:29AM

Brian said...

Dara Torres should get the Coubertin award for sportsmanship with this unselfish act! It's too bad we can't have more feel-good news like that in the Olympics! Rock on, Dara!

157

8-16-2008 @ 11:04AM

zep said...

40 is the new 20!!

158

8-16-2008 @ 10:36AM

Marie said...

Definition of class and maturity. Way to go Ms.Torres from one 'old lady' (HMMMPH!) to another.

Apparently the (young?) writer forgets that many Olympians are "older" especially in some of the less televised sports. He might want to do some research.