Never Too Old for Gold

Kay Glynn, 56, of Hastings, Iowa, recently set the world indoor pole vaulting record in her age group, clearing nine feet seven inches. A high-school state record holder in the long jump (her record held up for three decades), Glynn, a dance teacher, returned to track at 48 when her daughter persuaded her to compete in a local meet. Expect this vibrant grandmother of three to excel at the vault—and with the long jump as one of her planned events, she could pick up multiple medals.

Daniela Barnea, 65, broke records in her age group for the 100- and 200-long-course-meter butterfly at the 2004 U.S. Masters Swimming championship. She's since added modeling to her résumé, appearing in the buff (and looking fabulous) in a Dove ad campaign. But don't think photo shoots are her focus—this resident of Palo Alto, California, swims almost two miles daily and sometimes works out twice a day before major meets.

Charles Modlin started his track career in 1989 when he was a young 64: his wife would drive him to a town nine miles away, and he'd run all the way home. Now, at 84, Modlin has battled prostate and colon cancers, but he's still America's fastest man for his age. At the 2005 games, the New Castle, Indiana, resident broke records in his age division for the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter sprints—at 15.65 seconds, 32.97 seconds, and 1 minute 17.59 seconds, respectively. His times remain unbeaten.