The Phelps And Torres Effect

CBS Evening News: U.S. Olympic Swimming Heroes Captivated, But Will Inspiration Last?

(CBS)  Michael Phelps mesmerized a country with his record-breaking performance.

Dara Torres captured hearts with her will to compete.

Their ripple effect is felt all the way back here - at Jim Herrick's swim school in Los Angeles, where the kids have a new spark in their stroke, because of their heroes, CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes reports.

"Michael Phelps!" said student Sammy Miesler.

More parents are calling about lessons and more kids just want be like Mike.

"This is almost like a once-in-a-lifetime situation," said Herrick. "Tremendous inspiration for the kids."

They kept track of his medals, and they know how he did it.

"Practicing, practicing," one student said.

And if the kids are swimming a little harder these days, so are the grown ups.

"I've been really focusing on my technique and some of the things I've seen from the top swimmers," said Amy Dantzler, who practices at West Hollywood Aquatics.

But some are getting into swim programs for the first time.

"I have had a number of friends who've asked me about it in the last week," said swimmer Brian Olver.

It's not just the gold medals that are inspiring people - it's the world-class bodies. They were the other stars of the Olympics - Dara Torres's abs. The folks who developed her innovative stretching routine say so many people want to learn it, their Web site keeps crashing.

"We were getting 50 hits, 75 hits a day before the Olympics," said Luther Cowden of Innovative Body Solutions. "And now we are getting 5-10,000 hits a day."

Fifty-year old Shelley Gluck signed up after watching Torres.

"She's a huge inspiration to any ... mature athlete," Gluck said.

Over at the Rosebowl Pool, David Curry and Chris Rusay say they needed the push.

"This definitely gets you like kinda stoked to get back in the water and try and get back in shape," Rusay said.

Swim programs hope the glow from the gold will keep these swimmers as motivated as their new heroes.

[jenk2641]

I love this woman..I love her abs. We need more Dara''s with this body image for young women to see. No more anorexic pop stars and so-called movie stars. Lets move athletes to the top of the list when it comes to positive images.