2012 Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin is set to add the role of ‘author’ to her extensive resumé, as the 20-year-old announced she is co-writing a book entitled, ‘Relentless Spirit: The Unconventional Raising of a Champion.’
The memoir, due to be released on December 6th of this year, traces Franklin’s journey through the sport of swimming, but also incorporates her ever-present family life and dedication to strong personal connections that helped drive her to all she has accomplished.
“This book isn’t just about swimming. Yes, swimming is a big part of it, but it’s ultimately a story about our family, the strong bond we share, and the decisions we’ve made as a family to get to where we are today,” Franklin told People Magazine.
This makes it so real! Can't believe this is actually happening!👏🏻 https://t.co/slaCBmxeyd
— Missy Franklin Johnson (@missyfranklin) March 2, 2016
Franklin joins several other household names that have released books in recent years, including Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin, Amanda Beard and Phelps’ longtime coach Bob Bowman.
After winning four gold medals in London at the 2012 Olympic Games, then 6 golds at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Franklin’s siege on the international swimming scene simmered down a few notches. She suffered back spasms in August of 2014, which impacted her performance at that year’s Pan Pacific Championships, then Franklin went home win-less in individual events at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan.
However, Franklin is absolutely still in the mix for spots on the U.S. Olympic roster, currently ranked 4th in the world in the 200 backstroke, 7th in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 200 freestyle headed into this weekend’s Arena Pro Swim Series in Orlando.
It’s good she’s getting the book out early. It should have come out after her 2012 Olympics. I think we’ve already seen the best that Franklin had to offer. There are simply too many other good swimmers out there who will have her in their sights and pass her by.
I agree. In 2012 women’s swimming was not where it is now. There are so many more strong swimmers – she has real competition this year and I don’t think she’ll be nearly as successful.
I’m curious what type of stand her book with take on her decision to continue her amateur status and forego the rewards of a professional career in 2012. Obviously she will get a lot of hype running into Rio, but she could have realistically built her brand (and kept with her same swim coach and routine – which was clearly working) for the past 4 years. I understand the value of “team swimming” at the NCAA level, but for an elite athlete the window is small.
And I suppose here is hoping she wins another 4 gold medals and makes me eat my words…