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October 13, 2008 9:02:02 AM CDT

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At 41, Torres Makes 5th Olympics

Posted Jul 5, 08 6:05 AM CDT in Sports 

(Newser) – Dara Torres swam her way into the history books with a victory in the women's 100-meter freestyle trials last night, reports the New York Times. The 41-year-old will be the first five-time swimmer in Olympic history. She shot past 25-year-old American record holder Natalie Coughlin to finish in 53.78 seconds—almost 5 seconds faster than when she first qualifed in 1984.

Torres, who was already the oldest woman to make the American team when she qualified in 2000, came out of a 7-year retirement last year. "I'm ecstatic. I can't believe it," she said after the race. She admits the prospect of another Games has her as nervous as a teenager, but many think her fifth Olympics will put her medal collection into the record books as well.

Sources New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle

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Dara Torres waves the US flag after winning the women's 100-meter freestyle final at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Friday, July 4, 2008. Torres, 41, qualified for her fifth Olympics.   (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Dara Torres celebrates victory in the women's 100-meter freestyle final at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Friday, July 4, 2008. Torres' finish qualifies her for her 5th Olympics.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dara Torres holds her daughter Tessa, 2, and waves to the crowd wearing her medal for the women's 100-meter freestyle at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Friday, July 4, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dara Torres makes history with Olympic qualification.   (AssociatedPress)

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