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Why Is 'Supermom' Getting the Bonds Treatment?

If it weren't for McNamee, maybe we'd still be happily naive about sports doping

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2008 7:29 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Some are calling five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres "Supermom," but Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star thinks that "Wonder Woman" might be more appropriate. Everyone's wondering how a 41-year-old new mother could come back from retirement and surgery to take first place at her fifth qualifiers. Blame the gathering cloud of skepticism on Brian McNamee.

If Roger Clemens' former trainer hadn't exposed the pitcher's (and his wife's) alleged steroid use, maybe we'd all be a little more trusting. Before BALCO, people might have delighted in Torres' feat—instead of beginning immediately to ask questions about her use of asthma medication. The more impressive the athletic feat, the darker the cloud that immediately shadows it.

Dara Torres holds her daughter Tessa, 2, wearing her medal for the women's 100-meter freestyle after the US Olympic swimming trials Friday, July 4. Torres, 41, qualified for her fifth Olympic games.
Dara Torres holds her daughter Tessa, 2, wearing her medal for the women's 100-meter freestyle after the US Olympic swimming trials Friday, July 4. Torres, 41, qualified for her fifth Olympic games.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Baseball's doping imbroglio has besmirched our expectations for older players coming back to prominence in their sports, writes Whitlock.
Baseball's doping imbroglio has besmirched our expectations for older players coming back to prominence in their sports, writes Whitlock.   (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Dara Torres celebrates setting a US record time of 24.38 in the women's 50-meter freestyle semifinal at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, July 5, 2008.
Dara Torres celebrates setting a US record time of 24.38 in the women's 50-meter freestyle semifinal at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, July 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dara Torres leaves the starting block in the women's 50-meter freestyle preliminaries at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, July 5, 2008.
Dara Torres leaves the starting block in the women's 50-meter freestyle preliminaries at the US Olympic swimming trials in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, July 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Too good to be clean?
ESPN

Torres breaks 50m record
Associated Press

50m qualification might let Torres drop 100m
ABC News

 
steroids • Roger Clemens • swimming • asthma • Brian McNamee • comeback • Olympic trials • Dara Torres

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