Dara Torres
5x Olympian | Author | Coach
Dara Torres is one of the most accomplished and iconic athletes in Olympic history, and recognized as the most decorated United States female Olympic swimmer of all time. A California native, Torres began swimming competitively at the age of seven, and captured her first national title at 14 years old.
Torres went on to swim at the University of Florida, where she became one of the school’s most celebrated athletes. While at the University of Florida, Torres won nine individual SEC championships and won three NCAA individual championships. Additionally, Torres was named SEC Athlete of the year, SEC Female Swimmer of the Year twice, and earned 28 All-American swimming honors, the maximum number possible during a college career.
Dara Torres made her Olympic debut at the 1984 Summer Olympics in her hometown, Los Angeles, California. Torres competed in five Summer Olympics over a remarkable 24-year span. She earned 12 medals throughout her Olympic career, earned a medal at each Olympic game she competed in, and became the oldest swimmer to make a U.S. Olympic team at age 41.
Outside of swimming, Torres has built a diverse career as broadcaster, reporter, model, and author. She was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 and continues to give back through organizations like Swim Across America, which raises funds for cancer research. An advocate for health and wellness, Torres currently serves as Chief Wellness and Lifestyle Officer at CaniBrands, and in 2024, was named Head Swimming and Diving Coach of the men’s and women’s program at Boston College.
