Dara Torres to have major reconstructive leg surgery

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Five-time Olympic swimmer Dara Torres announced today that she will be having major leg surgery soon and will need at least 18 month to recover.

Torres, 42, told the Associated Press that she will have the reconstructive procedure Oct. 20 in Boston. Her shinbone will be broken to create more room for cartilage to grow around her kneecap.

While admitting she’s a bit ‘freaked out’ about having such a major operation, Torres said it could actually give her more motivation to come back for the 2012 London Olympics. She won three silver medals at the Beijing Games last year, but failed to make the top three at this year’s world championships in Rome.