Questions For Obama

Note: The submitted questions were supposed to be asked by Torres when she met with Obama.

Ask Dara Torres

Paul Drinkwater / NBCU Photo Bank / AP

Her career is all about the numbers. She's the first U.S. swimmer to compete in five Olympic Games. She has won twelve Olympic medals (four gold, four silver, four bronze) and in 2007 broke her own American record in the 50m freestyle, 26 years after she first set it at age 15. And she did all of this in her 40s -- virtually unheard of in any sport. Her new book Age Is Just a Number, available now, argues that dreams are achievable at any stage of life. Submit your questions for Dara Torres here, then read the interview in an upcoming issue of TIME magazine.

NOTE: Submitted questions may be edited for length or clarity. Your first name, last name, and location are required and may be published along with your question in print and online. Your information will not be used for any other purpose.

1. Posted by MARTIN LEVESQUE in montreal: madame torres
   which type of pool do you prefer to train and race in , the 25 or 50 meter pool and why?
   
2. Posted by Gerry Bass in WhiteLake,Mi.: How has your training routine evolved over the years?
   
3. Posted by Freedom Fighter in FreeUSA: Dear Time,
   I just wanted to let you know, Americans are waking up!
   They don't want your "NEW WORLD ORDER". Frankly they are completely happy with America the way it is! We don't want your world domination!
   Not every one is falling for it hook, line and sinker. So how's about stop trying to cram it down our throats!
   PS- Have you seen the movie "The Obama Deception" by Alex Jones yet? It's really eye opening and Alex tells it like it is!
   And BTW, regardless of what you say and how you try to keep Americans divided against each other, they is really no difference between Bush and Obama. The war ending Obama kept Bushes Secretary of Defense Gates on his Cabinet and is sending more troops to the war. Where's end the war cry's know Time? Americans are waking up! End the Fed!
   
4. Posted by Dave Brown in ElSobrante,CA: Which do you enjoy more: training or competing? Has that evolved over time? And how do you summon the mental strength to push your body everyday in practice, especially over such a long career?
   
5. Posted by KABIR MEHRA in hyderabad,india: What are the ingredients to your success?
   
6. Posted by 肖燕 in suzhou: I am a Chinese girl from the country ,a college student now.I really wonder how to make progress step by step,and how to creat dreams as well."what i want to be is really a tough question for me ,I just cannot fin out .thanks a lot if you take time to reply.
   
7. Posted by joseph gwynn in destin,floridaa: Government issue. WHy demand all the schooling requirements on students and then for e.g., cut all required classes needed to be able to graduate, why should the kids of this world suffer from our stupidity being able to run our counrty?
   
8. Posted by clarence dale tucker in clearwater: How long did it take you to find that one thing inside yourself that inspired such a performance? Good luck with your life and your dreams. I am 62 and I want to perform in the next senior olympics.
   
9. Posted by William getty in clementon: Why is Obama hiding his birth certificate? You are rich and famous, so help your country and question things like the Patriot Act and ask why is it we allow our honored troops to go on killing little babies and old people in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.
   If dreams are available at any age, then my dream is to have our magnificent Constitution back in its original form. Will you help?
   
10. Posted by Nathan Wiliams in Atlanta: Why are you so damn fine?
    
11. Posted by Julie Kujawa in Fenton,MO: Dara - you are seen wearing a Nikken magnetic bracelet in several photos. (I don't leave home without mine!) Do you believe that taking deliberate proactive preventative measures to help your body continuously heal itself has become an important part of how you stay and look so young? You have truly been an inspiration to all of us that are over 40; and that the slogan "40 is the new 20" seems to be an extremely achievable mindset when we look at you and watched your performance in the Olympics. Can you expand on what you are doing to create a lifestyle that shows you "preserving", so to speak, so well?
    Thank you!
    
12. Posted by Hebito Myglutiasi in SanFransisco,CaliforniaU.S.A.: HELLO!THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ASK OF YOU QUESTIONS!
    Why Olympics so boring to watch all time?
    
13. Posted by Susan Eckstein in Medford,NY: What is the biggest difference in the way you train now as compared to when you were younger?
    
14. Posted by Joseph Eckstein in Medford,NY: What is your favorite swim drill for improving form?
    
15. Posted by Miriam Abtahi in Anchorage: How do you think your extramarital affair that destroyed the lives of a mother and her two children affected your training and performance in the Olympics?
    
16. Posted by Saswati Biswas in Shawnee,KS: What will be your word of encouragement for a house-wife who wants to start a career at the age of 41?
    
17. Posted by Jen King in Pekin: So what do you think of some of your fans that you have met on Facebook??
    
18. Posted by Samuel B. Mankins in Columbus,Ohio: As an overweight gentleman in my late thirties, I am very interested in what diet you use to stay in shape. Could you enlighten me?
    
19. Posted by Gene Pool in Miami: Do You feel more comfortable with the doggie paddle or the breast-stroke?
    
20. Posted by Kitty in Atlanta: I'm only 24 but in complete awe of your accomplishments. You're truly an inspiration to all women, of every age! If you weren't swimming, what do you think you would've done instead?
    
21. Posted by Sami Ith in GardenGrove,CA: Will there be a 6th Olympic Game in your future?
    
22. Posted by Norman E. Hooben in OzarkAL: Those of us who know you all too well know exactly what you are up to...
    When other scoundrels of history tried to control the world they went down in defeat. So I ask you up front, "What makes you think the rest of the world will not defeat you?"
    You have destroyed what is left of the Constitution and dictated policies not asked for by the people. You swore to uphold the Constitution a document that stood for freedom longer than any other in the history of mankind. Your destructive dictates will sweep what's left of the shreds into the trash can of history. This is the end of America as we who fought for it knew it. The very essence of Freedom will never be known to my grandchildren if your policies continue.
    Further, the United Nations is the most corrupt organization in the world...that is, outside of your Cabinet.
    Though this question will never reach you, I ask, "What did I and millions of Americans do to you that you have schemed your way into the White House and began immediately to express your hatred for us and our beloved country?"