Ariel grows up

I have a personal request for all the marathon swimmers who have publicly expressed doubt about Diana Nyad’s remarkable swimming feat from Cuba to Key West, Fla. Many of them criticized the 64-year-old wonder’s credibility, suggesting she could never have done it without cheating. I simply ask that those skeptics gather all their envious conspiracy theories and stick them in their snorkel tubes.

What possesses some people these days to look for a Lance Armstrong behind every triumph?

She was being tracked independently every stroke of the way. News teams were there with video cameras. She answered questions for over three hours Tuesday. And you know what the big mystery was? How could her swimming speed double after 27 hours in the water?

Oceanographers explained it was simply the gulf stream that assisted her effort. She was even criticized for wearing a protective wet suit and mask. Perhaps those suspecting a hoax would only be satisfied if Nyad had swum the 110 miles in bib overalls and handcuffs.

Hey, Diana don’t give them any more time. A shot of Raid should shut them up.

I’m Pat McMahon.

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