Dara Torres- A Swimmer of a Certain Age

This article (New York Times, 6/28/09) features Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, who, at 41, became the oldest female swimmer to complete at the Olympic Games. What first captured my attention in this article the New York Times's selection of the headline, "A Swimmer of a Certain Age." I thought the choice of phrasing in the headline set the tone for the rest of the article, as it gave a sense that Torres is far beyond what is normal, giving her achievements an almost freakish and unnatural connotation. The author continually emphasizes the wear and tear Torres's body has undergone, referencing her myriad scars, frequent operations, and the extensive team that works to preserve her aging body. I thought it was also interesting how the author mentioned the story of the teammate who didn't want to hug Torres for fear he might "mess something up," an anecdote that implies that her body is decrepit and vulnerable to destruction at any time. To me, the article painted a picture of physical aging as a brutal, decaying force, one that slowly and steadily wears the body down. I think this tone stems from the fact that the article focuses on an athlete, and the realm of athletics places the highest premium on youth and physical vitality.