That performance seemed to spark a new wave of criticism, especially from a few swimming bloggers online. A few people can't fathom how a 41-year-old mother - especially one who is open about training fewer hours in the pool than her competitors, hoping to reduce the wear and tear on her body - can be faster now than she was 20 years ago unless she's doping.
How does she do it? How is it possible that Torres is able to continue to get faster at an age when everyone else in the sport is slowing down? She credits modern training techniques and the people working with her. After every workout, Torres does an hour of stretching and deep tissue massage with two specialists.
"I think if you physically look at me, and the way I am in the weight room, I'm stronger now than I have ever been in my life and more fit than I've ever been in my life," Torres says. "But my recovery takes much longer than it did when I was in my 20s and 30s."
Emotional difficulties
It can be even tougher some nights when Tessa wakes up at 4:30 a.m., crying or sick, and Torres has to put swimming second behind being a mom. And it has been difficult, emotionally, to leave Tessa with a nanny every day while she works out.
"As I started to get more into it and started to swim faster, I started to realize it's more like a job for me," she says. "And there's a lot of working moms out there who are doing what I'm doing but in their own profession. I still have guilt every now and then, but I don't feel as guilt-ridden as I did at first."
If Torres makes the Olympic team, she'll be a long shot to win a medal. That hardly matters for Lohberg. He thinks it's the journey that is impelling Torres.
"I think [making the team] would give her great satisfaction," Lohberg says. "It would be the last chapter in an awesome book or the last scene in a movie where the hero rides into the sunset.
"If for some reason it doesn't happen, there will be no devastation or regrets. Let's say she false starts or who knows what. Until you touch the wall, nothing is for sure. The journey is awesome."
kevin.vanvalkenburg @baltsun.com
Dara Torres
Born -- April 15, 1967, in Los Angeles
Family -- Daughter, Tessa, 2
Olympics -- Competed in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 2000 Games. Has won nine medals, including four golds.
Of note -- Trying to become first U.S. swimmer to compete in five Olympics. ... Holds American record in 50-meter freestyle (24.53), set last year at the U.S. Championships in Indianapolis. She originally set the record in 2000.
Countdown to Beijing
In the weeks leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics, The Sun will bring you stories about local athletes you know, such as swimming superstars Michael Phelps and Katie Hoff. We'll also introduce you to some competitors you might not know of, or who are trying to make a comeback, as with today's feature on swimmer Dara Torres. As we count down to Beijing, look to The Sun for your local Olympic coverage.
