Did you see or read about 41 year old swimmer, Dara Torres’ win in the 100 meter freestyle that cinched her bid for this years Olympics? Woo Hoo to CNN for calling her “middle-aged”.
“A thrilling performance that prompted the crowd to applaud Torres as the new face of middle-aged, weekend warriors everywhere. Toned and tanned, with a flat stomach, she hardly looks like she’s been away since the 2000 Sydney Games, her last Olympic appearance.”
I’m proud, happy, thrilled she won and represents the “middle-aged” everywhere even if I don’t consider 41 middle-aged, I guess technically it really is.
She made quite a comeback not only considering her age, but she’s had shoulder and knee surgery and has a 2 year old child. At least she’s got some of the same age related woes as the rest of us, so now I’m truly in awe of this super middle-age athlete.
“Unlike her younger teammates, Torres needs a long time after her races to recover. She employs a team of stretchers and coaches and nutritionists who cost her tens of thousands of dollars but have played pivotal roles in getting her back to the Olympics.”
Although Torres isn’t the typical midlifer, she’s accomplished a great deal and I’m proud to see she jokes about her eyesight related to her age, and in the dark shadow of Roger Clements, she’s volunteering for extra drug testing to prove she’s accomplished all this without the use of drugs.
I do take offense to the San Francisco Chronicle article that refers to Torres as “the old lady”. Then there is this article in the New York Times that says “If you study Torres’s face and neck, you can see some faint signs of her 40-plus years.” Well stop looking so closely, for Pete’s sake and I’ll bet these writers are only jealous because Torres could kick there asses and she’s a whopping 41 years old.
There will be some that won’t stop looking for a reason, other than Torres’ own drive determination and perseverance for her accomplishments at this “certain age” but it will only serve to gain us midlifers more respect, so bring it on, oh ye of little faith.
We still got it goin on, right girls? I just need to work on my goings on and get them all going in the right direction.
HAPPY TRAILS, Y’ALL and way to go Dana Torres!
July 7, 2008 at 10:29 am
I hadn’t heard about this swimmer before. How cool is that? I am 50 and bike a lot and feel great.
July 7, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I also do not like it when the media call people middle age or elderly.
Wrote a letter to the editor of my local newspaper after they had posted a headline that said “Elderly grandmother struck by car.”
After reading the article I found out that she was 54 years old.
54?????????????????????????????
Elderly????????????????
I gave that newspaper a blast.
They apologized in print the next day.
Bear
July 7, 2008 at 12:39 pm
rhea: Very cool and good for you and your biking. I should try it myself.
BearNaked: Way to go! I also hate some punk writer that is more than likely a mere 22 years of age, calling 50 year old elderly. I have 93 and 92 year old in laws and they don’t even consider themselves elderly.
But…..I’m think that might be a little elderly, but I’ll let you know when I get there myself.
July 7, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Dara rocks! http://topofthethread.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/barry-bonds-et-al-and-additional-repercussions-of-performance-enhancing-drugs-use/