US swimmer Dara Torres' attempt to make it to the Olympic team begins Thursday. If the 41-year-old mother of one succeeds, she will become the first American swimmer to compete in five Olympics. ( dpa )
On Thursday, Torres is to swim in the 100-metre freestyle preliminaries and semifinals.
Over the weekend, she will compete in the 50-metre freestyle event, which will be her best chance of becoming the oldest female swimming qualifier in Olympic history, according to a report in Dallas Morning News.
This will also be Torres' second comeback. She competed in the 2000 Olympics after a seven-year retirement, and won five medals. She became a mother in April 2006, and then started planning another comeback.
"Everyone says I should be used to this. But I feel like I'm 16, getting ready for my first trials," the report quoted Torres as saying. "I'm nervous. I'm excited. I can't wait to stand up and compete."