Missy Franklin, left, enjoys her spot at the top of the medal rostrum after winning gold as part of the U.S. women's 4 x 100 meter medley relay team at the world swimming championships in Barcelona. It was her sixth victory of the meet, setting a new record total for a female swimmer.
All smiles —
Missy Franklin, left, enjoys her spot at the top of the medal rostrum after winning gold as part of the U.S. women's 4 x 100 meter medley relay team at the world swimming championships in Barcelona. It was her sixth victory of the meet, setting a new record total for a female swimmer.
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Franklin announced herself to the swimming world as a 16-year-old when she won two individual golds at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, plus another in a relay event.
The first of many —
Franklin announced herself to the swimming world as a 16-year-old when she won two individual golds at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, plus another in a relay event.
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Franklin couldn't quite believe it when she set her first world record two years ago in Berlin, in the short-course 200-meter backstroke.
Record breaker —
Franklin couldn't quite believe it when she set her first world record two years ago in Berlin, in the short-course 200-meter backstroke.
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With her profile growing, Franklin was expected to do big things at her first Olympic Games in London in 2012. She wouldn't disappoint.
London calling —
With her profile growing, Franklin was expected to do big things at her first Olympic Games in London in 2012. She wouldn't disappoint.
Harry How/Getty Images for USOC
Franklin won her first individual gold at London 2012 in the 100m backstroke only a few minutes after she competed in the semifinals of the 200m freestyle.
Back-to-back —
Franklin won her first individual gold at London 2012 in the 100m backstroke only a few minutes after she competed in the semifinals of the 200m freestyle.
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Franklin shattered the world record en route to winning gold in the 200m backstroke. She bettered the time set by Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry in 2009 by three-quarters of a second.
A teen sensation —
Franklin shattered the world record en route to winning gold in the 200m backstroke. She bettered the time set by Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry in 2009 by three-quarters of a second.
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Franklin also won two relay golds in London, helping the U.S. set a world record in the 4 x 100m medley. She was joined by, left to right, Dana Vollmer, Rebecca Soni and Allison Schmitt.
Awesome foursome —
Franklin also won two relay golds in London, helping the U.S. set a world record in the 4 x 100m medley. She was joined by, left to right, Dana Vollmer, Rebecca Soni and Allison Schmitt.
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Franklin, seemingly always smiling, became a celebrity after her performances in London. She was a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and attended a viewing of the Golden Globes.
Star status —
Franklin, seemingly always smiling, became a celebrity after her performances in London. She was a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and attended a viewing of the Golden Globes.
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Franklin rubbed shoulders with Britain's Prince Harry in May 2013 when he visited the U.S. "And the perfect way to end my 18th birthday!?" she tweeted. "Meeting Prince Harry! It was a honor meeting him and I had a blast as always."
Royal approval —
Franklin rubbed shoulders with Britain's Prince Harry in May 2013 when he visited the U.S. "And the perfect way to end my 18th birthday!?" she tweeted. "Meeting Prince Harry! It was a honor meeting him and I had a blast as always."
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Back in the pool at the 2013 World Championships in Spain, Franklin became just the third female to win five golds at a World Championships in 35 years before bettering that tally on Sunday.
High five —
Back in the pool at the 2013 World Championships in Spain, Franklin became just the third female to win five golds at a World Championships in 35 years before bettering that tally on Sunday.
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