Missy Franklin

American backstroke specialist who set a world record in the 200m backstroke and won a record 11 World Championship golds.

Born in Pasadena, California on May 10, 1995, Melissa Jeanette "Missy" Franklin moved to Colorado at a young age and began swimming competitively as a child. Growing up in Centennial, Colorado, she trained at the Colorado Stars club team and quickly distinguished herself as a prodigious talent. Her exceptional height and natural stroke technique made her particularly well-suited for backstroke events, though she would eventually excel across multiple disciplines. Franklin burst onto the international scene as a teenager, making her first major impact at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, where she won three gold medals. Her breakthrough moment came at the 2012 London Olympics, where at just 17 years old, she captured four gold medals and one bronze. She won individual golds in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke events, while also contributing to American victories in the 4×100-meter freestyle and 4×200-meter freestyle relays. Her performances in London established her as one of the most versatile swimmers of her generation. Throughout her peak years, Franklin set multiple world records and became known for her remarkable range across backstroke, freestyle, and individual medley events. She successfully defended her 200-meter backstroke world title in 2013 and continued competing at the highest level through the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, persistent shoulder problems began affecting her performance, ultimately leading to her retirement from competitive swimming in 2018. Franklin's impact on swimming extends beyond her medal count. Her enthusiastic personality and approachable demeanor helped elevate the sport's profile during a crucial period following Michael Phelps' initial retirement. She represented a new generation of American swimmers who could compete across multiple strokes at the highest level. Her teenage achievements at the 2012 Olympics remain among the most impressive individual performances in Olympic swimming history, cementing her status as one of America's most accomplished aquatic athletes.

Backstroke specialist with exceptional technique and competitive spirit

One of the most successful American swimmers of the 2010s, known for her infectious personality and backstroke dominance

• Olympic golds 2012 (100/200 back, 2 relays) and 2016 (relay)
• 11 World Championship golds