“Athletes get put on a pedestal, and sometimes people don’t realize that we still have many of the same challenges that ordinary people have.”

If there is any one person who knows and can relate to this quote, it is the person who said it: Olympic legend Dara Torres. 

Torres, a five-time Olympian and 12-time Olympic medalist, has accomplished a lot in life following her retirement from competitive swimming in 2012. She has authored books, contributed to charities, developed intense workout plans, became an ambassador for brands, has spoken on numerous television shows and public appearances, is currently the coach at Boston College, and more . 

Recently, she added the USA Swimming Foundation to her philanthropic priorities to give back to the sport that gave her so much opportunity.

“I just wanted to be able to give back to the sport, and I didn’t know how,” Torres recalled. “It was suggested to look into the USA Swimming Foundation, and I thought that would be a great way to give back and be involved in the sport.”

In April 2023, she joined the USA Swimming Foundation as an ambassador. 

Amidst her efforts promoting water safety as a USA Swimming Ambassador, she also learned about the USA Swimming Foundation’s Donor-Athlete Partnership Program (DAPP), which provides a unique opportunity for families to not only financially support, but also build a partnership with, a U.S. National Team athlete(s) that fosters a connection beyond the pool deck.

“There’s a misconception that, when you see an athlete at the Olympics or in a Super Bowl or any high-level event, you often assume that they are almost superhuman. We all still deal with the same stuff in life,” she said. “To be able to give back to the sport monetarily, emotionally, and through mentoring, I just know that can go a long way.”

Torres, who is a self-described fan of being the first to do things, was both surprised and excited when she heard that there had never been a National Team alum to sponsor an athlete through the program. She took the challenge head-on and enrolled in the program, which resulted in her getting matched with Tokyo Olympian Michael Andrew.

“I was super stoked to know that Dara was going to be my donor,” Andrew said. “I think it definitely switches it up having the perspective of an athlete, so it's really cool for me.”

After her initial call with Andrew, she saw the importance of both the program as a whole, and her relatable perspective as a retired U.S. National Team member.

“We were talking as if we almost knew each other,” she said of the initial 30-to-40 minute introductory call with Andrew. “We were just sharing stories and getting to know each other. He knows that I’m here for him and anything that he needs. That’s what I want him to feel comfortable with: that he can come to me with anything.

“I've always looked up to her as an athlete,” Andrew said. “I always heard stories about how legendary she was, and so just kind of leaning into that and what sort of value she brings to me in terms of different perspective was great,” Andrew described of their first call. 

“You see them one way when they are behind the blocks or on television, but when you get to be on the phone with them and hear some of their personality, vulnerabilities, and the way they see things, it allows you to really relate to them and connect with them,” Torres added.

As the calendar rolls into the 2025 season, Torres will have numerous opportunities to connect with Andrew and be a resource for him both in and out of the pool.

The DAPP program is one of many ways that the USA Swimming Foundation supports the U.S. National Team through its Building Champions programming. What makes this program unique is the direct connection between donor-mentors and athletes, allowing the impact of the program to extend beyond the pool. Donor-mentors are paired with athletes based on a variety of factors to maximize the potential for lifelong relationships to flourish. While the program provides a direct line of communication from donor to athlete, it is just one of the many ways that the Foundation looks to support athletes in the U.S. National Team system.

“I'm close with all of my donors [throughout his time in the program],” Andrew said. “We still all text frequently or call or even see each other, and so it's one of those things where we have created some cool relationships and connections that kind of dove outside of the world of swimming. Knowing that your professional career is pretty short-lived, it's important to set stuff up for the future, and that's what I think the program does really well.”

“You don’t realize how many costs you have (as a swimmer) until you get to that level,” Torres added. “Situations may come up that can be hard to manage, and you really just want to be able to concentrate on swimming and not have to work in order to support your swimming.”

Amidst all of Torres’ post-retirement endeavors, the Donor Athlete Partnership Program has allowed her to once again be connected to the U.S. National Team side of the sport – an asset that she admittedly would have loved to receive during her time as an athlete.

“I wish that I had the Foundation when I was training,” Torres said. “They are so supportive in so many aspects – not only what they are doing in drowning prevention, but what they are doing for the National Team and making sure those athletes are taken care of. Thier support makes those athletes’ lives so much easier.” 

To find out how you can get involved with the USA Swimming Foundation’s Donor-Athlete Partnership Program, visit https://www.usaswimming.org/foundation#direct-athlete-support.