In a recent interview with Reuters, five-time gold medalist and world record holder Missy Franklin confirmed that she has not set a specific timeline for her return to racing.
“When I return competitively it’s going to be for me and no one else,” Frankin told Reuters. “It’s hard when you get to a certain level because other people start putting their goals and aspirations on you. But I have an incredible situation right now, and when it’s time I’ll sit down and go over what I want to accomplish and what it’s going to take.”
Franklin has been spending lots of her time on charity work recently, touring with USA Swimming’s Make A Splash foundation to teach swimming and spread the importance of learning how to swim. That isn’t to say she hasn’t been swimming– since undergoing double shoulder surgery for bursitis, she has been training at Cal with head Cal men’s coach Dave Durden.
Still, Franklin is in no rush to get back to racing, and is spending more time on herself and other passions.
“It’s been great going to practice, not to train for an event, but just because I want to be there,” Franklin said. “That’s something really special that I haven’t experienced in quite a while. Twenty-two is an age when you’re really just trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. I’ll always love swimming but what it means changes with you as you grow.”
You don’t know swimming truly if you haven’t experienced yourself or high performing (incredibly successful) swimmers where the drive leaves. It can be temporary or hey, forever. It’s so frustrating when it leaves. Swimming is the greatest hard work in so many ways and more so, outside of competition. It’s frustrating as hell and to hold Olympic Gold or NCAA Champion as the standard for the comeback, like Tiger for another Major, is just not a fair standard as the body ages.
How about that Phelps and Irvin and the likes of Nancy Hogshead, Dara Torres and Amanda Weir have all been able to drive on? What are the keys? …………..a lecture for another day, but remarkably impressive.
Like so… Read more »
She should have put her claws onto Prince Harry . He was there for the taking . Now look what we will have to put up with .
Con artist. Sorry, not even artist, just con swimmer. She will never compete again at major meets, but will keep you hoping for long, long, long, very long time to maintain your interest in her and making money with that.
I find the above comment shocking. Franklin is an Olympian for life. She was an elite swimmer almost her entire life. Props to her too for surviving the treatment that her Cal woman’s college coach subjected her and her teammates to. Stick with training with Durden for fun and health. Missy never has to compete again if she doesn’t want to. She is fortunate to have achieved Olympic Gold at such a young age, that now she can have another great life. Maybe the only con was when her Cal coach kept Franklin’s training-caused back injuries secret and burdened the entire Cal team with all these secrets. Nightmare.
Dear SWAMMERJAMMERS it wasn’t my intention to shock you. But for a moment get rid of the magic of words “Missy Franklin” and listen about the story of some swimming career that repeated itself multiple times in the history of competitive swimming. A young fast growing and maturing girl breaks 14-16 NAG records at her major stroke and at 17 sets the world record. Peaks at 17-18. Gets lucky that these two years include Olympics and World Championships so her collection of individual and relay medals becomes impressive. And after that – strong decline. The decline that is lasting for four years already. Lucky but short career, great achievements during that two years, the world record that is still beyond… Read more »
Just to set the record straight,in Prickle’s eyes a 1:39.10 200-yard freestyle, US Open Record, and most importantly, first female swim under 1:40 (nearly a second under), is all part of a “strong decline” ??? You’re insane. Go Missy!
That 1:39 is the most mysterious story about Missy Franklin. This result came from nowhere and nothing of what she swam that season predicted it to happen. Nothing that followed this race was even close. Should she be that good at WC in Kazan just four months after NCAA she would smash Pelligrini’s world record. So ridiculously fast was this time in yards. But she wasn’t even close to her personal best shown in Barcelona two years earlier when she was only 18.
As many posted here who knows swimming business at Cal better than me she wasn’t even focused on this distance in training and at competition during the season. Her records at home pool were slow and… Read more »
troll
Dear Go Bearcats: Thanks for bringing up that incredible finish to Missy’s NCAA career. I don’t think she gets nearly enough respect and credit for that amazing record that stands to this day. It is a testament to her commitment to giving it her all and finishing strong.
Also, Missy is a shining example of living with grace under immense pressure. I think she is a great role model for dealing with both success and disappointment in such an admirable way. Yes, Go Missy!
Did Dave abuse them?
U have prickeled yourself here . Pure imagination parabole with no inclination to understanding others paths . Thats must be from someone unsatisfied in life .
Teach me ERVINFORTHEWINS what the real values of life are. I will listen to. No kidding. With such deep knowledge and understanding of other people from the heights of full satisfaction of your life teach me. Or ….. refer to your book. Don’t have one? What a petty. Missy Franklin at her 20 has already two biographies.
The only thing more dumbfounding in your post than your fake outrage is your suggestion that an Olympic champion shouldn’t capitalize on her hard work and success. This is still America where capitalism is ok, correct?
Good her body needs a break! Most world class athletes don’t allow themselves to rest.
This is a great year for Missy take a break from competition. You be you. Unless you be you means doing Dancing With The Stars.
Missy is one of the few people I’d give a pass for if she did Dancing With The Stars. She’s an excellent dancer and would probably be a fun contestant.
The most tragic story in our sport
The most hyperbolic statement in our message boards.
What about Yannick Agnel?
She won 5 medals in London hers is much sadder
Camille Muffat forgotten so soon? Host of others, too. What’s so tragic about being a multi-gold Olympic medal winner who got a swimming scholarship to go to one of the best universities in the world, is healthy and apparently doing what she wants to do?
Thats what i felt ……not yet !
Take your time Missy. The most important thing is to have fun again. Best wishes.