Friday, July 4, 2008

41 YEAR-OLD SWIMMER DARA TORRES HEADS TO BEIJING OLYMPICS IN MULTIPLE EVENTS; WHEN SHE COMES HOME, MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES SHOULD AWAIT

41 year-old Dara Torres won the first of her nine Olympic swimming medals in 1984 in Los Angeles. She is now heading back to the Olympics representing the United States in Beijing, China in multiple events. The business opportunities that await her after Beijing are enormous.

Not only are her accomplishments important Olympic accomplishments, but Torres has the other components that media and advertising personnel want. While Torres is twice the age of most of her closet swimming competitors, she is also a symbol of health, beauty, and longevity.

Torres' success outside the pool, however, is not new. For one, she has a lucrative and ongoing sponsorship deal with Team Speedo, the mega-successful swimsuit manufacturer, which includes media and retail appearances. Among other deals, Torres also has a deal with Toyota to produce Dara Torres swim clinics.

Torres has also been somewhat of a media personality. As swimmingworldmagazine.com reports, Torres has provided sports commentary on NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports Net, and even as a host for USA Network’s “PGA Tour Sunday.”

She has also been a TV personality as co-host and correspondent on such top-rated programs as “Live with Regis and Kelly” and “Good Morning America.” Other television work includes “NHL Cool Shots” (ESPN), “Fox Sports Sunday”, “Inside Edition”, and the “Tae-Bo” workout videotapes, swimmingworldmagazine.com reports.

Look to see a lot more of Dara Torres this year, and beyond. Also look for her to expand her sponsorship and advertising deals outside the area of sports. Particularly likely are product deals pertaining to women's fashion, health, and beauty. Any medals in Beijing for Torres, should turn to gold.

Here is an article on Torres' recent accomplishments from the Miami Herald (Same old story for Torres) an article from NYTimes.com (Dara Torres - Profile - Olympic Swimming) and the above referenced article from swimmingworldmagazine.com (Lane 9 News).




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