Schools
12-Time Olympic Medalist Dara Torres Inspires Waukesha Swimmers
Waukesha Express Swim Team has a visit from Olympian Dara Torres, who competed during as a swimmer for three decades and into her early 40s.
Dara Torres, a 12-time Olympic medalist who competed in her 40s after giving birth to her daughter, told young swimmers with the Waukesha Express Swim Team how she agonized moments after placing second in the Beijing Olympics – missing the gold medal by a fraction of a second.
Despite the initial disappointment, Torres told the swimmers at Waukesha South High School on Tuesday, she knew she had given it her best try.
Torres’ inspirational visit at the school was made possible by Koss as Torres talked about her years as an Olympian for three decades.
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During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she wasn’t sure how she fit in with the rest of the team. In her early 40s, Torres said she had to stop food fights in the cafeteria and was older than some of the coaches.
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“I was trying to figure out how I blended in,” Torres said. “It was fun, it was great to be back.”
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