Age is a number...

and nothing more.

"The average age of the U.S. Summer Olympic team rose to 27 in 1996 from 24 in 1976 and has remained steady. This year's team — even with a series of upsets during the Olympic trials that kept several older athletes from getting to Beijing — has an average age of 26.8.

The roster includes three five-time Olympians (Torres is one) and 12 four-time Olympians. Twenty are mothers. At least one — 58-year-old sailor John Dane III, who after 40 years of trying will be at his first Games as the oldest Team USA member and the oldest U.S. Olympian in more than 50 years — is a grandfather.

"This just says, 'Hey, go for it,' " says U.S. modern pentathlete Sheila Taormina, 39. "Don't back off because it hasn't been done."