Time, it often is said, waits for no man. But will time wait more than a decade for a woman? Synchronized swimmer Tracy Long intends to find out.

Long, a 34-year-old Richmond native, recently returned to world- class competition after 11 years away from her sport. Her motivation: an appearance, her first, on the Olympic stage. Her inspiration: speed swimmer Dara Torres, who emerged from a seven- year retirement to win five medals at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia.

An interview with Torres, televised from Sydney, was the match that re-lit Long's fire.

"All of a sudden it just struck me: `Here's a girl who felt like she had unfinished business to take care of and it bothered her so much that basically she had no choice. She had to come back.' Those were the same thoughts and emotions that were starting to bounce around in my head."

Long, who performed with distinction for the U.S. national team from 1985 until her retirement in 1990, has secured a berth on the squad that will represent the United States at the World Cup competition in Switzerland in September. A solid showing in Zurich will almost certainly nudge her closer to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Solid showings, however, can no longer be taken for granted. Synchronized swimming, like most women's sports, has undergone a dramatic change in personality in the past decade.

When Long was thriving in the late 1980s, "it was all about control and stability, and I'll be honest: I was one of the best in the world [at developing and harnessing those skills]. Now everything has changed. Now it's all about speed . . . power . . . athleticism."

Her transition, she said, "is going OK. I've improved a lot in the past year or so."

Or so she believes.

"It's not always easy to tell. Remember, this is a judged sport, which means it's completely subjective. It's not like I have, say, a clock and a time to measure myself against."

Long's age - more than twice that of her youngest teammate - has proved in many respects to be an ally. She said the fact that she has "a lot to learn and a lot of catching up to do makes it a lot easier to train the way I need to train; to stay in the pool for eight, 12, sometimes 13 hours a day without getting bored. It would be hard to do that - very hard, probably - if I didn't have something to challenge me every time I get into the water."

Moreover, her thirtysomething status suggests - indeed, it demands - that she make consistently prudent decisions once she climbs out of the pool.

"There are a lot of things I have to do on a daily basis if I want to remain competitive: getting enough sleep, eating properly, training hard and well."

Long sometimes looks with envy at her younger teammates.

"When you're young, like they are, it doesn't really matter what you do. Youth can survive anything."

How badly does Long want to compete in Athens in 2004? Badly enough to have walked away from her job as a graphic artist at KCNC- TV, the CBS affiliate in Denver.

"Really, the timing couldn't have been better," she said. "Except for my dog, I didn't have anyone or anything depending on me."

Then she offered a more sober assessment. "I don't think anyone can expect to succeed in athletics - not at this level, certainly - without being willing to take a few risks."

THE LONG FILE

*Born: Nov. 29, 1967 in Richmond

*Vitals: 5-4 synchronized swimmer; member of United States national team.

*Attended: University of California (B.A. in Political Science and Economics)

*Club affiliations: Richmond Dolpholinas (1975-1981), Briarwood (1982-1983); Walnut Creek (Calif.) Aquanuts (1984-1990, 2001- present).

*Career highlights: Helped Walnut Creek win five consecutive national club titles. . . Has spent seven years (six before her retirement, one since) with the U.S. national team. . . Placed first in solo, duet, team and figures competition at 1989 World Cup. . . Inducted into the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Hall of Fame in 1993.

*The long run: Competed in marathons and triathlons (including two of the Ironman variety) in her 10-year retirement from swimming. . . Was ranked 42nd in her age-group as a triathlete.

*Making ends meet: Long became immediately eligible for U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Synchro funding when she recaptured a spot on the national team. She trained with the Aquanuts for nearly nine months while preparing for her national team audition. During that period she supported herself by coaching young Aquanuts, working in the club's bingo hall and dipping into her savings.