So While Listening to the Radio the Other day...

It's been a long while since I've posted in my blog. I'm going to do my best to write in here at least once a week if nothing else. If anyone person does stumble upon this (hahaha!) I hope they understand that these are my personal thoughts, feelings and/or comments. They aren't meant to offend anyone or anything.

Okay, moving on...

So while listening to the radio the other day, I heard an ABC report about Dara Torres. The 41-year-old woman who finished first in the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Naturally, I was interested in this story. It had one of those "feel-good" moments about it. Although I have no idea who this individual is, I was very much interested to hear her story. Also, I was silently cheering her on, thinking to myself, "You go, girl!"

I've been watching the Olympics religiously since 1996. Naturally, I'd heard through interviews, radio reports, newspapers and other venues, that once you hit mid-thirties, it was getting close to the end of the line. So to hear about a woman in her early forties beating out girls half her age was just amazing.

But...

There's always a 'but,' isn't there?

While listening to the radio—again—I happened to tune into an ESPN radio guy's show (I'll kindly leave out his/her name) who was talking about Dara Torres. I found myself completely turned off by their words and comments. I don't quite recall what was said, but something to the effect of, with all that happened with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, how can one not be suspicious in regards to drug activity?

True. Point taken!

My reason for blogging is not to expound on the idea of drug use, or to defend Dara Torres. I simply needed a venue to get out my feelings on the matter.

First of all, isn't it sad? Let's just go with it and say that someone like Dara Torres is completely innocent of drug use, etc. Isn't it terrible that we have to paint her, even minimally, with the same brush used on Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens? Naturally I understand being in the spotlight like this, one sets themselves up for ridicule, speculation and/or even criticism.

Yet, why do we have to do this? Doesn't anyone believe in doing things the good, old-fashioned way?

Speaking from my own personal thoughts, I feel sorry for Dara Torres. Again, I need to cover my bases—giving her the benefit of the doubt—this is a time that's supposed to be awesome, wonderful and one for the record books. However, it's marred by the gray area of other sports professionals.

All I can say at this point is I sincerely hope Ms. Torres is earning her current fame logistically. The United States of America does NOT need another Marion Jones.