Torres has also earned a reputation for beauty and adventure. Between Olympic years, she has spent her time doing everything from modeling on the catwalk to working as a journalist and participating in extreme sports. In 1994, she became the first athlete to appear among the supermodels in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue. In 2002, Torres fed her appetite for new adventures by becoming the first woman to win the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race in the event's 26-year history in Long Beach, Calif.

Torres took time to answer a few questions about everything from car racing to synchronized swimming, as well as reveal where she keeps her Olympic medals and who she'd want to play her part in a movie.

Q1. So how did you become interested in car racing?

DARA TORRES: I did a feature on NASCAR in North Carolina a few years ago for a hockey show. I never was a race fan before, because when you watch them on TV they just go around and around. You really have such a better appreciation of it when you actually go to a race and see what the drivers do and how much energy and effort they put into it... and how scary it is! It's just amazing when you go-I absolutely love it now.

Q2. You were an Olympic athlete-how does car racing compare?

DARA TORRES: I'm so friggin' competitive, it's unbelievable. You just figure that after the Olympics your competitiveness will mellow out, but not at all. I'm out there with these guys and everyone wants to beat everyone. It's different because it's a machine you're using to get across the finish line and with me (at the Olympics) it was just my body and that was it.

Q3. How many speeding tickets have you gotten in the last year?

DARA TORRES: None. I live in New York. I don't drive.

Q4. Yeah, but you swim over 55, don't you?

DARA TORRES: I've been known to.

Q5. Can you name five parts of a car engine?

DARA TORRES: Ummmmm... I have no idea. Is there a radiator on it? Belts? Metal? That's three. Then there's an oil thing and a water thing. There. What did I win?

Q6. How do you go to the bathroom in a racing suit?

DARA TORRES: Good question. There are no flaps or anything. Hopefully the only stain I will have down there is this damn mustard stain I got at lunch.

Q7. Men's synchronized swimming: For or against? And if you're for it, should they wear makeup?

DARA TORRES: I'm for it... but no makeup. I was swimming in Santa Clara where the only guy is, and it was really hot that day, so all of the women were wearing two-pieces. I looked up quickly and thought, "Oh my gosh-that woman doesn't have a top on!" He was just so graceful that he seemed part of the women. It's just an awesome sport.

Q8. Who should play you in The Dara Torres Story?

DARA TORRES: Meg Ryan! Just kidding. But she's beautiful.

Q9. Where do you keep your medals?

DARA TORRES: The medals are under my bed. In fact the older ones I had to get polished in a jewelry store because they were tarnished.

Q10. Do you ever expect anything in your life to be able to match your Olympic experience?

DARA TORRES: Nope. Not a chance. That's just an experience that nothing will come close to, because you work all your life for it. And when you finally attain those goals, well, it's just something you have to experience.

Interview by Dan Mahin and Jeff Hause of sportshollywood.com. It may also be viewed at www.sportshollywood.com/asktorres.html