Taking another step along the journey to recapture her 17-year-old self’s love of swimming, Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin is making the move to Georgia. Relocating to Athens and training under storied coach Jack Bauerle, Franklin is pursuing a degree is psychology amid her quest to kickstart her swimming career that has since cooled from her world record-setting days of London 2012.
The 22-year-old originally from Colorado had been training under Cal men’s coach Dave Durden, but wanted to reconnect with Bauerle, who coached Franklin back when she made her first national team at the age of 13.
Of the Georgia coach, Franklin told the Associated Press this week, “I’ve always adored him,” she said. “He cares about you.” (newser.com)
“I really struggled with that for a while because I looked at it from a selfish perspective,” said the athlete. “It really isn’t a selfish decision. I started thinking about the road I have ahead of me. I started looking at options, which is really big for me.”
Georgia’s stellar squad already boasts powerhouse national teamers Chase Kalisz, Melanie Margalis and Olivia Smoliga, all of whom Franklin has competed with for USA. Surrounded by teammates whom Franklin describes as ‘welcoming and accepting’, the backstroke and freestyle ace hopes to finally charge forward to Tokyo 2020 after a pair of shoulder surgeries which resulted in her missing last year’s World Championships.
“I’m kind of coming back from the bottom,” she said. “I could feel pressure because people are expecting a comeback, but I don’t care. I don’t really care what kind of pressure people are putting on me because I can’t control that.
“I want to get back to that 17-year-old who truly loved the sport,” she said. “It’s less about the hardware I bring back and more about getting back there and showing people the Missy that is so happy.”
Franklin is hitting both the pool and the weights, primarily targeting the U.S. National meet later this summer.
I wish her the best. To me, the most surprising thing about this announcement is that she is apparently planning to finish up her degree at Georgia. For a while she said she’d get her degree from Cal if it took her 20 years. Georgia is a great school, but Berkeley is…. Berkeley. It’s the #1 public university in the world and one of the best schools in the world. A psychology degree from UC Berkeley is a huge achievement. Ultimately though, it doesn’t matter where she gets her degree and I’m sure she knows what’s best for her.
Saw her in the water yesterday. Vredeveld was in the water with her too, so she may be there as well.
With Regan Smith doing so well there may not be room for Missy in Toyko
This isn’t about the gold medals guys. This is about her having fun racing.
A VERY smart move on her part. New environment, culture and climate. The Georgia staff is amazing. Missy if you read this comment – take it one day at a time and enjoy the ride!
Greatest age group swimmer regardless of gender, one of the greatest swimmers of all time regardless of gender, go Missy
I don’t know about that. Thorpe and Phelps had more world records at a younger age than missy. I think Janet Evans too
Greatest Age Group Swimmer, regardless of gender? Please. Missy wasn’t even the greatest female age group swimmer. Ever hear of a young lady from Riverside, CA, named Cynthia “Sippy” Woodhead? World Champion and World Record Holder @ 14, ranked #1 in the world in the 100, 200, 400, and 800m free at 16. Would have likely been a bigger household name than Missy Franklin ever was had we not boycotted the 1980 Olympics, where she was favored to win 6 gold medals.
Sippy’s 13-14 NAG Records in the LCM 200 and 400 free have stood for 40 years, surviving the era’s of Janet Evans, Katie Ledecky, and Missy Franklin herself. Her 11-12 SCY 500 free record from 1977 was… Read more »
As the person who is obviously an expert in ranking of greatest swimmers can you please help me with the simple question: Who’s greatness is the greatest one: Hosszu’s or Franklin’s. Swimswam’s commentators made me confused in this matter. Thank you.
Hosszu’s 400 IM was on par with Ledecky’s 400 Free. 4:26 vs 2:04.0?? Also 4 ind medals vs 2 (3 vs 2 gold)?
Definitely Hozzsu for me. Especially when you look at her depth of top performances. Its astounding and probably the most impressive overall quad we’ve seen (Phelps 05-08 lacked the same depth year to year (05-06 were weak), and especially mid season was no comparison to Katinka)
It was actually a joke, because I hate these talks about greatness. But if to say something about these two ladies as of they are now then I will agree with you. Hosszu is swimming for living – Franklin is talking for living. I think she (Franklin) gave up long time ago right after Kazan. There was some hope for miracle in Olympic Year – it hasn’t happened. This sport is too tough and I think she’s found the way around.
As a longtime fan of Missy Franklin I can only wish her the best for the years to come. Being happy and healthy is what matters the most. And if she’s back at her best then it will be icing on the cake. Good luck Missy.
Nice to see you back, Bobo Gigi. Have not seen your comments in a while.
She looks ripped. Fierce. I wish her the best of luck.
old pic I think