'Supermom' Torres Won't Rule Out 2012 Games

3 Beijing silvers—and close call with gold— may push swimmer to try for London

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2008 1:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – Though Dara Torres says she’s looking forward to hanging with her 2-year-old, the US swimmer’s three silver medals in Beijing have some asking if she’ll aim to compete in the 2012 Olympics—when she’ll be 45. "I don't know," Torres told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Right now I want to just … spend some time with my daughter.”

"I really haven't thought that far in advance,” said Torres, adding that her career plans go “one day at a time.” With 12 medals over five Olympics, she’s tied the mark for most medals for a US female swimmer, but insists, “You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams.”

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American Dara Torres takes off her silver medal after the women's 4x100-meter medley relay final in Beijing, Aug. 17, 2008. (AP Photo)

United States' silver medal winner Dara Torres, left, is applauded by Germany's gold medal winner Britta Steffen after the women's 50-meter freestyle final reacts during the swimming competitions in... (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

"I think I'm always going to be young at heart," US swimmer Dara Torres, 41, said in response to questions about a try for the 2012 London Olympics. "I don't think that's ever going to change." (AP Photo)

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I'm very lucky to have that balance between my swimming and being a mother. And I got that inspiration from working moms. They have to do the same. - Dara Torres

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'Supermom' Torres Won't Rule Out 2012 Games