Dara Torres brings medals, Olympic stories to Palm Beach Day Academy
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Robie Mendoza was beside himself after his encounter with five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres on Thursday morning at Palm Beach Day Academy's Seaview Campus.
"It was awesome," the ninth-grader said. "It was amazing."
Robie, 15, said he even kissed the silver medal Torres brought to show the children. It was one of three she won in Beijing at age 41.In previous Games, she's scooped up nine medals, including four gold. See below....
Torres began swimming as a child and won her first gold at 17.
Considered almost ancient by Olympic athletic standards, Torres did the unthinkable and got back into the Games after grueling competition and training that allowed her to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympics.
Prospective sponsors of her fifth Olympic quest raised doubts about her age.
"All it did was make me want to do it more," Torres said during her appearance at the school's Vicki and Peter Halmos Family Activity Center.
The mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Torres easily related to the children gathered around her on the gymnasium floor during her 50-minute presentation. See below....
Considered almost ancient by Olympic athletic standards, Torres did the unthinkable and got back into the Games after grueling competition and training that allowed her to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympics.
Prospective sponsors of her fifth Olympic quest raised doubts about her age.
"All it did was make me want to do it more," Torres said during her appearance at the school's Vicki and Peter Halmos Family Activity Center.
The mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Torres easily related to the children gathered around her on the gymnasium floor during her 50-minute presentation. See below....
She described the Olympic Village — home to athletes from around the world during their two-week stay.
With international cuisine within reach, she told the kids she usually chose American fast food for its familiarity.
"I found myself gravitating toward McDonald's," she said.
But that wasn't a problem, because her training regimen and its high caloric burn allow her to eat pretty much whatever she wants, usually opting for protein and vegetables.
"If I want dessert, I'll have dessert," she added.
Torres also told students she still gets a severe case of "butterflies in the stomach" before competition, comparing it to what they might feel before a big test.
"It's about 10 times worse," she said. See below....
With international cuisine within reach, she told the kids she usually chose American fast food for its familiarity.
"I found myself gravitating toward McDonald's," she said.
But that wasn't a problem, because her training regimen and its high caloric burn allow her to eat pretty much whatever she wants, usually opting for protein and vegetables.
"If I want dessert, I'll have dessert," she added.
Torres also told students she still gets a severe case of "butterflies in the stomach" before competition, comparing it to what they might feel before a big test.
"It's about 10 times worse," she said. See below....
The big question of the morning was whether she knew another American Olympic hero — Michael Phelps.
The answer, of course, was "yes."
She also answered the unasked question.
"Yes, he's very handsome," she said.
Torres said she meant the assessment from a "motherly point of view."
As U.S. Olympic athletes, they have trained together, she explained.
She met Phelps when he was 15 and she was 33.
"He still calls me Mom," she said of their latest Olympic journey. See below....
The answer, of course, was "yes."
She also answered the unasked question.
"Yes, he's very handsome," she said.
Torres said she meant the assessment from a "motherly point of view."
As U.S. Olympic athletes, they have trained together, she explained.
She met Phelps when he was 15 and she was 33.
"He still calls me Mom," she said of their latest Olympic journey. See below....
Torres' appearance at the Palm Beach Day Academy was a family affair, since she has three brothers who attended the private school and six nieces and nephews now enrolled.
"She's part of our school community," said Karen O'Donnell, head of the lower school at the Seaview Campus.
Torres has worked as a television commentator and has had stints as a print model, being the first athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 1984.
"I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up," she said.
Head of School Rebecca van der Bogert said Thursday's assembly was a great opportunity for the children, as she noted the athlete's sculpted swimmer's physique.
"My 20 minutes on the bicycle this morning just evaporated," she said.
"She's part of our school community," said Karen O'Donnell, head of the lower school at the Seaview Campus.
Torres has worked as a television commentator and has had stints as a print model, being the first athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 1984.
"I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up," she said.
Head of School Rebecca van der Bogert said Thursday's assembly was a great opportunity for the children, as she noted the athlete's sculpted swimmer's physique.
"My 20 minutes on the bicycle this morning just evaporated," she said.
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