#43: Dara Torres

Dara Torres dove into swimming at just seven, quickly revealing a natural talent in the pool. Her dedication to intense training pushed her body to the limit, even requiring knee surgery—an unusual setback in the low-impact sport of swimming.

Undeterred, Torres made history with a stunning career, earning twelve Olympic medals across five Games. Her resilience and longevity remain legendary, proving that passion and perseverance can carry an athlete far beyond expectations and well into the record books.