A Reuters headline asks: "Is 40 the new 30 for Olympians?" According to Reuters, "Olympics historian David Wallechinsky, who has written many Olympics reference books, said the average age of Olympians has been increasing as athletes turned professional. 'Before you were lucky to be in one, maybe two Olympics as you had to go and earn a living,' said Wallechinsky, vice-president of the International Society of Olympic Historians." The buzz is aided by the participation of United States swimmer Dara Torres, who is 41 and has a two-year-old daughter. Also aiding it is the fact that Torres is easy on the eyes, too. Torres, however, is not the oldest in this year's games. That honor belongs to Japanese horseman Hiroshi Hoketsu, who is 67. Yep, that's 67. But even he isn't the oldest ever to compete. That honor goes to Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn, who was 72 when he compete in 1920. And no Torres is not the oldest member of the U.S. team. Libby Callahan, shooting, is 56.
Here is an ABC report on Torres.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
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