US Olympic swimmer Torres models at Fashion Week

NEW YORK: After winning three silver medals in Beijing, Olympic swimmer Dara Torres has mastered another daunting challenge: walking the runway at New York Fashion Week.

The 41-year-old modeled two looks for the Sunday afternoon presentation of Charles Nolan's spring collection at the designer's Chelsea studio.

Torres, a 12-time Olympic medalist, made her catwalk debut in a blue-and-white striped tank top and navy swim shorts while carrying her 2-year-old daughter, Tessa, who clung to her mother as people clapped and cameras snapped photos.

Torres' short haircut was styled in 1920-style waves, which enhanced the drama of her next look: a black jersey and silk taffeta wrap dress.

Backstage in pants and a T-shirt after the show, Torres recalled: ``There was a girl (modeling) who said that she was really nervous and I said, `Swimming in the Olympics is much more nerve-wracking!'''

Torres said she did worry, however, that she might stumble on the runway like Carrie Bradshaw did in ``Sex and the City.''

``I'm not used to wearing heels,'' she explained. ``I wear flats and flip-flops all the time.''

Torres has been making numerous TV appearances and speeches in the post-Olympics publicity blitz, and plans to ``get back in the water and swim some'' starting next month.

She said Tessa enjoyed modeling with mom. ``She was not into walking alone with me out there, but as long as I held her she was fine,'' she said. ``She was backstage dancing around with all the models and stuff and having fun.''

Nolan _ who presented chic and wearable clothing for women including a lime green drop-waist dress and a striped boatneck top with cropped trousers _ said Torres was a perfect fit to show off his designs.

``I was so inspired by her,'' he said. ``It's one thing to look great at 41 _ it's another thing to be able to make the Olympic team competing against 16-year-olds, and then win a silver medal!''