Four-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin sat down for a press conference today in Omaha with the Olympic Trials set to begin tomorrow. Missy discussed many things in the press conference, including how she has stayed positive all year despite not being as fast as usual in-season, how she has grown in the four years since London and how she persevered through all of the struggles she has had over the last four years.
Missy began discussing how great it feels to finally have rest, and that she is bursting with energy. She talks about how her attitude coming into the meet is the same as it was four years ago, but feels she has grown in that time. She says she has become wiser, more mature and is more confident knowing she’s been through this before and was extremely successful.
When asked if her coach Todd Schmitz has had to keep her focus on Trials after not swimming great in-season, Franklin responded with confidence that she knew the path they were taking the whole way and knew the destinations were Omaha and Rio. “We know that I’m going to be ready when I need to be ready, and that’s right now.” Missy went on to say she knows she has to be ready in Rio as well, but knows this is the first step and what she needs to focus on now.
When asked how she keeps her confidence despite being slower in-season than normal, Franklin says the concrete proof of success at practice every day helps her know she’s on the right track, and knowing the times aren’t coming simply because you’re tired. She also says having faith that all the hard work will pay off at the end has been key. She also discusses the struggles she has had with her back recently, and that getting through all the things thrown at her over the last four years was a success in itself.
Watch the full press conference here:
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Good luck Missy. I’m confident you will silence the doubters this summer. You are a champion.
Doubters? where?
Let’s hope she’s ready!!
Her superhero name: Ms Ebullient!