Dara Torres, at 41 Years Old, Takes Silver Medal in Olympics Women’s 50M Freestyle

There was little doubt, Dara Torres was the fastest woman in the pool, but in the 50 Meter, one slip or one slight difference can give the winner the edge.

Britta Steffen of Germany launched off the platform a hair better than Dara and that was enough to get her the victory with an Olympic Record of 24.06.

It looked at the end of the race like Dara touched first, and we were thinking Gold, but it was not to be.  Britta gets Gold 1/100 of a second faster than Dara.  Will Dara be back again in four years?  She looks faster and stronger than many women half her age!

Ian Thorpe Saddened and Stunned By Michael Phelps Olympic Gold #8

File photo

As the camera panned to Ian Thorpe, 5-time Olympic Gold Medalist from Australia, you could see the disappointment in his eyes.  After a miraculous victory for the US and while others around him cheered and smiled, he seemed to stare at the results in total disbelief.

Thorpe was quoted in an interview prior to the Olympics, “I don’t think Michael Phelps is going to be able to win 7 Golds, much less 8.”  Michael Phelps placed that quote in the back of his locker.  Ian’s words provided incentive every day as Michael and the rest of the US team focused on Ian’s words as they made Olympic history!!

Thanks Ian.  You helped bring Michael to this historic, possibly once in history, performance.

We suggest Ian be grateful for what he has accomplished, not dejected for being outdone by a vastly superior swimmer.