Dara-Torres is a big name in the swimming events at the Beijing Olympics. The 41-year-old American swimmer draws wide attention both in the pool and out. As a world record holder, she is also the mother of a two-year-old girl. However, Dara-Torres is not the only "mother athlete" at the Games. How could they strike the balance between their families and sporting careers? CRI correspondent You Yu tells us more.

Reporter:

"I am a mother swimmer at 41." Dara-Torres often introduces herself this way. Having been in Beijing for one week, she said she missed her daughter very much.

"I miss her terribly. Nothing compares with being with my daughter. She is a blast to be around. She loves to have fun, go outside and swim. I miss her terribly."

Being a mother changed her normal athletic life enormously. As hard-working as she is, Dara-Torres still enjoys her current lifestyle.

"I find myself getting up earlier to skype my daughter. Before she goes to bed and before I go to bed at night, I try to skype her again. So kids in the team are playing cards or playing games, I'm in the room trying to skype my daughter. So that's the difference."

At 41, Dara Torres amazingly took a silver medal this morning in the women's 50-meter freestyle final, and was only 0.01 second behind German swimmer Steffen Britta.

Actually, Dara-Torres is just one of the "mother athletes" at the Beijing Olympics. The 34-year-old Italian fencer, Maria Valentina Vezzali, took her third Olympic gold medal a few days ago in the women's foil. Four years ago, Vezzali gave birth to a son. She said her son motivates her greatly because he always asks her for a medal.

"I am under a lot of pressure during every Olympic cycle. It is not an easy job to take the gold. For me, achieving a gold medal becomes more and more difficult but I know my son is waiting for me at home to bring him a medal. Nothing could be more important than realizing his wish."

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano called her an outstanding athlete and a perfect mother but will she continue her athletic life after the Beijing Games? Vezzali said she had to think about it seriously. If she decides to continue, then you will see her again in London.

If you think a "mother fencer" is not worth making such a fuss about, then a "mother Judo athlete" may probably surprise you a lot. When Chinese Judo athlete Xian Dongmei got down to preparatory training for the Beijing Olympics, her daughter was only 4 months old. Her efforts were awarded with the glory of Olympic success. Xian Dongmei said she would share the gold medal with her daughter.

"I will go back home soon, and compensate my daughter with the love and care that she missed when I was away."

Compared with other sportswomen, the "mother athletes" lead very painstaking lives and shoulder more responsibilities. It's true that the Olympic medals are the glory every Olympian strives for but for those "mother athletes" participating at the Olympics also deserves our hearty respect.

For China Drive, I'm You Yu.

(Page Editor: Cao Jie)