Torres, Dara

Dara Torres is a world-renowned athlete who has been described as the fastest and oldest woman in American swimming. In 2008, 41-year-old Torres distinguished herself by competing successfully at the Beijing Olympics, 24 years and one child after her initial Olympic appearance. In doing so, she shattered the age barrier in a field dominated by youth, and inspired older athletes to return to competition.

Torres is best known as a record-setting Olympic champion swimmer. Born in the United States in 1967, Torres began competing internationally at age 14 and won her first Olympic gold medal three years later. She earned 28 National Collegiate Athletics Association All-American swimming awards, the maximum possible, as an athlete at the University of Florida, where she also completed a degree in ...