Missy Franklin was one of the stars of the US swimming team at the 2012 Summer Games in London, but she has been unable to recapture some of that magic in Rio.
Not only did Franklin fail to qualify for the 200m freestyle, but she also got subbed off women’s 4x200m freestyle team in the final, though she did get a gold medal for what she did in the preliminary rounds. She expressed her disappointment via Twitter this week.
So heartbroken by my results from last night. Doing everything I can to keep my head up and keep fighting with all I have??
— Missy Franklin (@missyfranklin) August 9, 2016
Asked by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Ann Killion about her Rio Games, Franklin answered, “right now, it sucks.”
Franklin won four gold medals in London — including both the 100m and 200m backstroke — as well as a bronze in 4×100-meter freestyle relay. She was also a four-time NCAA individual champion at Cal, and she remains the world record holder in the 200m backstroke. But she finished third in her heat on Thursday, contributing to her overall disappointment in Rio.
Franklin’s drop-off from London to Rio has many wondering what is wrong with her. She doesn’t have an answer yet, but she told Killion she is not about to give up because things aren’t going her way.
“I’m not anywhere close to being done with this sport,” she said. “It’s a disappointment but the support I’ve received means so much.”
