UPDATED 12:30 p.m.

Forty-one is way over the hill in the world of Olympic swimming.

But if Dara Torres is over the hill, there are scores of people who would love having that label.

The Parkland resident and mother of a 2-year-old girl has a magnificently sculpted body.

Over the past several months, she accelerated a successful training regimen that allowed her to qualify this month to swim in next month's Beijing Olympics.

It will be an historic fifth such appearance for Torres, who is competing at an age when most world-class athletes are long retired.

On Tuesday, as she was preparing to leave for Los Angeles for an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Torres shared the secrets of her training regimen and what motivates her to make another try for Olympic gold.

In her four Olympic appearances, Torres won four gold medals, one silver medal and four bronze medals.

Torres visited Palm Beach fairly frequently until recently, when her training kicked into high gear.

Her father, real-estate developer Edward Torres, lived in Palm Beach until his death a year and a half ago. Her younger brother, Rick, lives here with his wife, Heidi, and their five children. Her brothers, Michael and Brad, live in West Palm Beach. The three brothers manage Tricony Florida Corp., a building acquisition and management company, from an office in Via Bice.

Torres visited the family in Palm Beach earlier this month, before setting an American record in the 50-meter freestyle at the recent Olympic trials in Omaha, Neb.

The media attention on her Olympic bid — from The New York Times, CBS and scores of other organizations — has been amazing, she said.

"It's a little overwhelming. I had no idea it was going to be like this. It's been crazy," Torres said.

Her comeback — something she didn't imagine 18 months ago — is made possible by a strenuous routine that includes water training, resistance stretching and regular massage therapy, as well as strength and conditioning training directed by Andy O'Brien, the strength coach for the Florida Panthers.

"I just figured that my body's different now than it was in my 20s. I've just surrounded myself with the best in their profession," Torres said.

O'Brien has shifted Torres' workouts away from traditional weight-lifting in favor of exercises that challenge several muscle groups at a time. This has helped her develop strong, flexible muscles that respond quickly and forcefully in the pool.

"He told me it's not about heavy weights, it's about being efficient in the gym," Torres said. She says her training regimen is not the only factor in her success as an athlete.

"Some of it's genetic. I have a brother who looks just like me," Torres, said referring to Rick.

Rick Torres, who swims every day at The Breakers, said their physical condition is based on more than genetics.

"Genetics definitely plays a big part of it, but obsessiveness also plays a big part of it as well — just not making excuses, working out and getting a high out of that," Rick said Wednesday from Beverly Hills.

Like other members of his family, Rick is thrilled with his sister's latest success.

"I think it's amazing. In the same sentence, I'm not surprise, what with her dedication," Rick Torres said. "When she puts her mind to something she usually perseveres."

While she acknowledges she has always had a competitive streak, Torres said her motivation this time around is her fans.

"I feel like I'm getting motivated by people my age telling me how I'm motivating them. I'm inspired by all the people calling me and telling me their stories. I'm getting pumped up about it," Torres said.

The support from her siblings is wonderful, Torres said. The fan most supportive of her, she says, is her mother, Marylu Kauder of Sun Valley, Idaho. Kauder goes to all of her daughter's swim meets, Torres said.

Rick Torres has high hopes that his sister will once again bring home medals for the United States.

"I think she'll do well," Rick said. "She dropped the 100 (meter freestyle) from her program so she's going to focus on the two relays. By allowing her body to have a little more rest, to recover more, it will give her a bigger shot at the other events."