American · Rancho Palos Verdes, USA · Born 10 May 1995American swimmer who dominated backstroke and freestyle events, winning 5 Olympic gold medals and 11 World Championship golds during her career
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 and multiple Olympic gold medalist
How They Played
Backstroke specialist with exceptional technique and competitive spirit
Lasting Impact
One of the most successful American swimmers of the 2010s, known for her infectious personality and backstroke dominance
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold Medal 4x100m Freestyle Relay London 2012
- Olympic Gold Medal 4x200m Freestyle Relay London 2012
- Olympic Gold Medal 200m Backstroke London 2012
- Olympic Gold Medal 100m Backstroke London 2012
- Olympic Silver Medal 4x100m Medley Relay London 2012
- World Championship Gold 200m Backstroke Barcelona 2013
- World Championship Gold 100m Backstroke Barcelona 2013
- World Championship Gold 4x100m Freestyle Relay Barcelona 2013
- World Championship Gold 4x200m Freestyle Relay Barcelona 2013
- World Championship Gold 4x100m Medley Relay Barcelona 2013
- World Championship Gold 200m Backstroke Kazan 2015
- American Record 200m Backstroke
- Swimming World Magazine World Swimmer of the Year 2012
- USOC Female Athlete of the Year 2012
- AP Female Athlete of the Year 2012
American Athletes