Amazing Amanda

The Summer Olympics are just a few weeks, so I decided to write an article on two extraordinary women, Amanda Beard and Dara Torres. Both will compete this year in the 2008 Games. Not only the two incredible athletes, but they are also motivational speakers. I set up three of my favorite quotes from Amanda Beard and Dara Torres to show admiration for these two Olympic stars and celebrate the 2008 Olympics to Beijing.

Torres
Dara Torres is the first American swimmer to compete at four Olympic Games and has accumulated a total of nine Olympic medals - 4 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze. Dara competitive success of 1984, 88, 92 and again at the 2000 Olympics. She is now breaking his own record with his fifth Olympic Games in Beijing this summer.

"They may become more difficult to achieve, but your dreams can not stop because you reach a certain age or if you had a child."

"Water does not know how old you are when you jump in, so why not?" (Comments on entering his fifth Olympics at age 41)

"When I started, people said I was an inspiration, but I think it was a complete turn 180. I have so many people come to me now and tell me their stories and what has changed in their lives, and I feel that I am the inspiration of others. "

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 U.S. swimming history (that Pokey Watson was younger than Amanda in 1964 winning the gold medal in the 400 freestyle relay at 14 years and 96 days) by winning its first Olympic gold medal, swimming on the medley relay. She is also a champion of the U.S. National five times and set an American record in the 200m breaststroke during a World Cup in 2002. Amanda Beard will be entering his 4th Olympic Games this summer in Beijing.

"When I look back, it is unclear - as in a dream. I can not really remember everything, it's just like a childhood memory for me. I do not know too much about what was happening, I just kind of swimming. Of course, there was publicity going on about me being so young and it's really strange to be 14 and have it all happens, but again, you're so young and childish you sort of blow it off. "(On his Olympic experience in 1996)

"I concentrate on preparing to swim my race and let the other swimmers think about me, not me about them."

"I hope to look back on my career and that other people look back on my career, I hope I have opened many doors and opportunities for others. I know that many people in my case a lot because I have done many things outside the pool, I'm opening doors that I am creating more interest in swimming and bring more sponsors into the sport if swimmers who are coming behind me can have a career in this field. "

I will be supporting both swimmers return home and wish them good luck this summer at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.