Missy Franklin Johnson – Olympic Swimmer | U.S. Air Force Academy

Missy Franklin, a competitive swimmer since she was 5 years old, won four gold medals and one bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. Franklin’s performance in the 200-meter backstroke broke the world record and marked the first time that an American won the event in 40 years. She followed her Olympic success by winning six gold medals at the 2013 FINA World Championships, and, at the time, became the most decorated female swimmer in history at a single world championships. In 2014, she released a documentary, “Touch the Wall,” captivating viewers with a behind the scenes look at the intense preparation required to compete at such an elite level.

Franklin was awarded the 2015 Collegiate Woman of the Year and the Honda Cup for her collegiate athletic achievements. She was named “World Swimmer of the Year” and “American Swimmer of the Year” by Swimming World Magazine and earned the ESPY for Best Female Olympian in 2013 and Best Female College Athlete in 2015. Franklin brought home her final gold medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics for her performance in the 4×200-meter relay.

Retired in 2018, Franklin completed her degree in psychology and a minor in education at The University of Georgia and shifted her focus to speaking engagements, brand partnerships and philanthropy. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and appointed to the Board of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation where she provides oversight and guidance for the organization’s global work, which includes funding more than 250 Sport for Development programs worldwide. Franklin advocates for topics, such as mental health awareness, female empowerment and overcoming failure.