Senda Gharbi, is known in her native Tunisia as the "gem of swimming". A former specialist of the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle events, she believes the performances of veterans like Torres and Taormina have little to do with luck and all to do with consistency and hard work.

"In events like the 50m and 100m swimming races, it's entirely possible to remain fit through daily sessions of body building. In this kind of short-distance race, the fittest will come out on top. Here, age is not a determining factor. Sprint doesn't require a great deal of stamina. One just has to be fast and efficient, while remaining 100% focused."

However, she suggests, "it's harder for a 40-year-old to perform over 200 or 400 metres."

Another factor should be taken into account: the athlete's nationality. In the US, for instance, swimming is a key sport. Athletes can rely on top-quality equipments and infrastructure, as well as a comprehensive aftercare. This enables them to take on the world's best athletes - including the younger ones.

Hubert Ripoll, author of 'Mental of Champions' explains why losing is different depending on athletes.

What keeps the Otteys, Kerstins, Taorminas and Longos of the sporting world doing into their 40s, or even 50s? Does physical condition make a difference? Of course, but is that all? No, the mental conditioning must follow.

So why them? How is it that Laure Manaudou, 21, will probably end her career, whereas Jeannie Longo, 50, has the will to go on?

Motivation is key for champions. It is that engine that helps them come back from a loss. A champion is someone who can rise, phoenix-like, from the ashes.

So why some and not others?

People compete in sport for two reasons: for personal progression and for self-affirmation. Losing means different things to different athletes: For those who compete in sport to progress, defeats are just incentives to try again and progress further. But for those who treat sport as simply a way to boost their self-esteem - a form of narcissistic self-affirmation - losing is like suffering a wound.

It is those motivated by their strong ego who abandon the effort most easily. The other category of sportsmen and women - those motivated by progress (and by the pure pleasure of competition) are able to last and to bounce back.

Listen to the comment of Eric Navet, world champion in horse riding:

"I have an obvious passion for horses and horse riding. It's my first passion, and if I wasn't like that I would have never had such a long career. In forty years, I had to adapt myself constantly [...] To feel my horses progress is just an amazing feeling. To be at this level is a real satisfaction, but my love for horses is my daily joy."

As for Laura Flessel-Colovic, a few minutes before she enters? Flessel, who I have previously interviewed in my book, is far from the narcissist I described earlier. If she is beaten, it will not be because she gave up. No, she is mentally ready, at 37, to reach the highest step on the podium.