I’m an avid Olympic watcher. I’ve had 8-8-08 circled on my calendar for months. I can’t wait for the games to begin. So you can imagine that I’ve also been tuned into the trials for the past couple of weeks. I’ve been following the Dara Torres story with interest. She’s the 41 year old woman who has made the Olympic team in both the 100m and the 50m freestyle swim. But why do they keep mentioning her age? Why is it so impossible to believe that a 40-something woman can still be active and in shape? The way the commentators go on about it, you’d think she should be confined to a wheelchair at her age. Don’t get me wrong – I applaud her accomplishment. Swimming at an Olympic level takes a great deal of hard work, committment and sheer talent, something I would never have at any age. But I’m also 40-something and I sure don’t feel old (well, not most days, anway!). Didn’t this used to be considered the prime of life? The way they talk about nothing but her age is something that really gets under my skin. What she has done is amazing at any age. Let’s celebrate that accomplishment.