In her second comeback after 6 years away from the pool, Dara has become the oldest female swimmer, at age 41, to make the Olympic team. Competing against girls half her age, she has been unstoppable, breaking the US record in the 50m Freestyle multiple times on her way to Beijing.
Competing on the international stage since the age of 14, Dara carried her success to the University of Florida where she earned the maximum 28 possible NCAA All-American swimming awards. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Dara won three Silver medals, two in the 4x100m Freestyle relay and 4x100 Medley relay, and one in the 50m Freestyle race (the highest medal she’s ever won in an individual event).
Outside of swimming, Dara has had great success as a TV commentator and a print model and was a feature correspondent for Good Morning America, worked on-air for ESPN, TNT and Fox News Channel including stints on NHL Cool Shots and Fox Sports Sunday.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
12-Time Olympic Medalist
5-Time Olympian
First swimmer from the United States to compete in 5 Olympics
US Record Holder in the 50m Freestyle
First athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition
Television experience includes work for ABC, ESPN, TNT and Fox
SPEAKING TOPICS
Women’s Issues, Women’s Empowerment, Never Give up your Dream, You're NOT too old to chase your dream, The Olympic Experience