OMAHA, Neb. -- Dara Torres wore a black T-shirt with the single word "faith" in silver letters to her press conference at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old from Parkland, Fla. then offered some insight that might give her skeptics more faith in her.
The come-back sprinter said the authenticity of her blazing times has been questioned in the past but instead taking the allegations again, she has done something about it.
The four-time Olympian said she has been part of a voluntary, in-depth drug testing program by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.
"I want to be an open book," Torres told USADA in September. "You can DNA test me, blood test, urine test. Whatever you want to do, just test me because I want people to know that I am doing this right.
"I am 40, 41 years old and I am doing this and I'm clean and I want (a) clean sport. I swam against swimmers who were dirty my whole life and that's just something I wouldn't do."
Torres said she has been tested numerous times since joining USADA's program. She said she gets tested so often, the program disrupts her training or takes times away from her 2-year-old daughter, Tessa
"It's a real pain but I asked for it," she said. "Now, if anyone questions me, there is nothing more that I can do. ... If anyone accuses me of anything, I take it as a compliment."
Torres said she heard accusations in 2000. That's the year she became the first U.S. swimmer to race in four Olympics. She also became the oldest gold medalist in U.S. swimming history.
"Things were written about me and it was very hurtful and it was a big distraction," Torres said of the allegations.
Torres' latest comeback started in the Masters swimming ranks. After posting some fast times, she rejoined the U.S. fray.
Her quest to make a record fifth Olympic team begins Thursday with the 100 freestyle. She owns the second-fastest 100 free (54.17) by an American this year and has the No. 1 50 free (24.56).
Her 50 time is just off her 2007 American record of 24.53.
"Age is just a number," Torres said.
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