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Amanda Beard Amanda is a 7-Time Olympic Medalist, a model with numerous magazine covers, and a national spokesperson for various companies. Amanda Beard became the second-youngest gold medalist in USA Swimming history (only Pokey Watson was younger than Amanda in 1964 winning the 400m free relay gold at 14 years and 96 days old) by winning her first Olympic gold, swimming on the medley relay. She is also a five-time U.S. national champion and has set an American record in the 200m breaststroke during a World Cup in 2002. Amanda Beard participated in her 4th Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.
(1) I concentrate on preparing to swim my race and let the other swimmers think about me, not me about them.
(2) "When I look back on it, it's fuzzy - like a dream. I can't really remember everything; it's just like a childhood memory to me. I didn't know too much about what was going on, I just kind of swam. Sure, there was publicity going on about me being so young, and it's really weird to be 14 and have all that stuff happening to you, but then again, you're so young and childish you sort of blow it off." (on her 1996 Olympic experience)
(3) I hope that looking back at my career and as other people look back at my career I hope that Ive opened a lot of doors and opportunities for other people. I know a lot of people get on my case a lot because Ive done a lot of things outside of the pool Im trying to open doors Im trying to create more interest in swimming and bring more sponsors into the sport so swimmers that are coming up behind me can have a career in it.
Dara Torres Dara Torres is the first American swimmer to compete at five Olympic Games and has racked up a total of eleven Olympic medals - 4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze. Dara successfully competed at the 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games. Her fans are calling her ageless.
(1) The water doesn't know what age you are when you jump in, so why not? (commenting on entering her fifth Olympics at age 41)
(2) They may become harder to achieve, but your dreams can't stop because you've hit a certain age or you've had a child.
(3) When I first started, people said I was an inspiration, but I think its been a complete 180 turn. I have so many people coming up to me now and telling me about their stories and whats changed in their lives, and I feel like Im getting inspiration from other people.
If these ladies can do it, we all can take a little motivation from their successes.
ABOUT THE WRITERS
David Leonhardt and Corey Rozon are freelance writers in Ottawa. Dara Torres and Amanda Beard both be competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and both are famous motivational speakers.
