American swimmer Missy Franklin, who hasn’t raced since undergoing double shoulder surgery in early 2017, is entered to swim at the Mare Nostrum series stops in Canet, France from June 9th to 10th and Barcelona, Spain from June 13th to 14th.
Franklin, who is now attending classes and training as a pro at the University of Georgia, is listed on the preliminary entry lists for both Canet and Barcelona: the first two stops of the three-meet series. Franklin is not listed on the psych sheets for the meet closer in Monaco, but sources tell us that Franklin, Molly Hannis, Ryan Held, Kathleen Baker, and Katie Meili are all planning to stay and compete in Monaco.
Franklin’s schedule at both meets includes entries in the 50/100/200 back and the 100/200 free – her traditional international schedule. The meets will be a good spot for her to test her new training, as it includes a world-class field with the likes of Kathleen Baker, Taylor Ruck, Katinka Hosszu, Jenny Mensing, Anastasia Fesikova, Daria Ustinova, Mie Nielsen, Veronika Andrusenko, Brooke Forde, Holly Hibbott, Rikako Ikee, Pernille Blume, and Ranomi Kromowidjojo entered in the same events as Franklin, along with many other big names.
Franklin’s entries come as part of a mentorship role with USA Swimming’s national junior travel squad, where a group of 10 athletes, including Brooke Forde, Cassidy Bayer, and Michael Andrew, will race at the series’ first two stops. For those reasons, we can assume that Franklin is at least provisionally entered in Canet as well.
We have reached out to Franklin’s representation to confirm her intent to compete, but have not heard back.
Franklin missed last summer’s major meets after her surgery, including U.S. Nationals. At the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, her first as a professional swimmer and her most recent official races, she finished 13th in the 200 free, 14th in the 200 back, and won a gold as a heats-only swimmer in the 800 free relay. Franklin has said that at the time, she felt like she was in the best physical shape of her life, but that mentally she was not prepared to be at her best.
At the 2012 Olympic Games, she won 4 golds and a bronze medal. She also owns 11 long course World Championships, and is the current World Record holder in the 200 long course meter backstroke.
What buterfly stroke? I live mexico.
The one downvote was Emily Seebohm. The next one will be Kathleen Baker.
Hope she does well! Welcome back Missy!
First off, I am happy to see that Missy is making a comeback. I hope to see her swim healthy, both physically and mentally. She is already one of the best to ever do it. Despite what a bunch of internet critics will say, she is a champion and has everything it takes to get back to the top.
I will say I’m surprised that this story didn’t break the internet, at least in the swimming circles. Every time a psych sheet for a major meet is published, there is a side story about when her comeback will be. I would have thought the real comeback story would get much more attention.
There are several other USA Olympians going too. Let’s not go overboard on just talking Missy!
The title of the article tells a different story!
I agree but but let’s not overlook the others
Debut outside the US tells us she doesnt want a spotlight on this. The internet doesnt make that possible. I expect her to be at the same level as 2016 which was pretty good just not great. Hope she can be happy with that and keep swimming
Great news! An honor to welcome Missy here in France for her comeback! Best wishes! 😎
If Lochte can make a comeback at 33, Missy can make a comeback at 23.
I thought the same thing …….Lochte could be her inspiration for the come back somehow and give her a few tips . Helping each other is important . I wish her the very best .