Torres' Appeal Remains High In Aftermath Of Beijing Olympics

Torres Finding Hot Market For Motivational Speeches Following Beijing Olympics

The Beijing Games ended nearly a month ago, but U.S. swimmer Dara Torres' appeal "seems greater than ever," according to Karen Crouse of the N.Y. TIMES. Torres' fee for "motivational speeches, which was $10,000 a year ago, has jumped to $50,000, and there are not enough days in a week to accommodate all the requests." Premier Management Group's Evan Morgenstein, Torres' agent, said that Torres became "more relatable to the women she was hoping to inspire" after losing the Gold Medal in the 50m freestyle by .01 seconds. Morgenstein said that he has "had to ask for private flights for out-of-town engagements because Torres was being stopped so often in airports." Morgenstein added that there is "talk that Torres, a former television commentator, might host her own daytime show." Morgenstein described the show as "Oprah meets 'Extreme Makeover.'" Crouse notes Torres "turned down a spot on 'Dancing with the Stars' because she didn't want to spend more time away" from her 2-year-old daughter (N.Y. TIMES, 9/23).