As a rule, sprinters have a short shelf life. They run fast and hard, but usually, not very long.

At 30, Darvis Patton is an exception to that rule.

The former TCU sprinter and a 1996 graduate of Lake Highlands High School in Dallas is leaving this week for tune up meets in Stockholm, London and Monaco before heading to Beijing for the Olympics.

"I could almost say the hard part is done," Patton says during a morning workout in Arlington, "but its not. "We have four more rounds in Beijing but I feel real good going in. I'm confident."

Patton won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and is one of the surprises on this year's team.

A surprising because his times just keep improving with age. Earning a spot on this year's Olympic team has given Patton even more motivation.

"It means the world to me," he says. "For the simple fact, 2004, I got fourth, the worst spot you want to be in. This time I got third and made the team. Track is the most watched sport at the Olympics and to participate in the 100-meter, the most watched at event at the games, man I'm pretty excited."

Patton is coached by his former TCU track coach Monte Patton.

"He's running stronger than he's ever run, and part of that at his age, being a year older is still an advantage. At my age its not," says Stratton. "Being a year older, a year wiser, a year stronger, a year more experienced, but most of all, being healthy for the first time in two and a half years is a key, and it was the key to his success at the Olympic trials."

Three weeks ago, Patton turned in a 9.89 and a wind assisted 9.84 at the trials. Despite the incredible times, Patton still came in third. After all, Tyson Gay ran a 9.68, the fastest 100 meter ever recorded.

"That's fast," says Patton, but apparently it's not intimidating.

"No not at all, not at all man, if it was intimidating, man I couldn't compete in this sport," Patton says. "I love the competition. I love it when someone runs fast because I think I can do it."

Patton will not only compete in the 100 meter, but in the 4x100 meter relay as well.

Because he has been to the Olympics before, he knows what the experience is like. He's the oldest of three sprinters who will be competing in the 100-meter dash.

"Once every four years, you only have one shot, you only get the top three to make the team so to be going my second time," Patton says. "It's a huge accomplishment.