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Brooke Bennett eyes Olympic comeback in open-water swimming

Brooke Bennett

22 Sep 2000: Brooke Bennett of the USA celebrates winning Gold, in the final of the Women’s 800m freestyle at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, held at the Aquatic Centre in Olympic Park, Sydney, Australia. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Hamish Blair/ALLSPORT

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Brooke Bennett is trying to go 16 years between Olympics.

The three-time Olympic swimming champion re-entered drug testing nearly two years ago and has competed in masters-age and marathon events without a set goal until now. She wants to make the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team in open-water swimming, according to SwimSwam.com.

Bennett, 33, won Olympic gold in the 400m in 1996 and the 400m and 800m in 2000, taking the baton from Janet Evans as the world’s best distance swimmer.

She had shoulder surgeries in 2001 and placed third at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800m, missing her third Olympics by one spot. She faded out of competitive swimming and into journalism, becoming a reporter for Bright House Sports Network in Florida.

Bennett will turn 36 in 2016. Evans also attempted to make an Olympic team 16 years after her final Games in 1996. She competed in the 2012 U.S. Olmpic Trials at 40 and finished 53rd and 80th.

The U.S. has entered swimmers 36 years or older at each of the last two Olympics with Jason Lezak (36 in 2012) and Dara Torres (41 in 2008).

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