Aug 09
6
Daniela Barnea shattered five swimming records in five attempts while competing in the 65-69 age group at the Stanford Avery Aquatic Center in the 2009 Summer National Senior Games. This is her first appearance at the National Senior Games.
Barnea obliterated the 100 butterfly mark Saturday by 10 seconds. The old record was 1:37.94, but the 65-year-old Barnea swam a 1:27.25. She added a second gold that day, winning the 50-yard breaststroke in 39.47. On Sunday, it was gold in the 100 breaststroke as she clocked 1:25.65. Her fourth gold came Monday when she won the 100 IM in 1:24.21. On Tuesday, Barnea broke the old 50 fly record of 41.39 with a 37.60.
Barnea put off entering the 2009 Summer National Senior Games because she didn’t want to admit she is getting older.
"The reason I didn’t do it until now was that I didn’t consider myself a senior," Barnea said with a laugh. "Even now, the title is a little harsh. Once you get the AARP and Social Security in the mail, it’s hard to deny it. Swimming is a great healer for all kinds of aches and pains. In the pool, you can only do what the body lets you do. It’s like a healing process, it’s meditation. It’s very relaxing, the sound of the water, the color, the peacefulness."
You can read the full article here.
Congratulations Daniela Barnea. You are a champion!!
I just started swimming after 38 years of inactivity and you are going to be my inspiration .
Very good for you!!!!
Ethel from Tampa Bay, Florida