Missy Franklin Gold Medal Winner: Facts About The Aurora, Colorado Native, Boyfriend [Photo]
Colorado native Missy Franklin took home the gold for the United States in the 100 meter female backstroke yesterday.
Amazingly, the 6 foot 1 inch high school senior won the pivotal event just 10 minutes after she had already competed in the 200 meter semi-final heat. To top that off, the rising swimming star still finished in a stunning 58.33 seconds.
"I am, so happy, I knew that tonight was definitely going to be difficult, with that double, but I had a blast tonight," Franklin said yesterday.
Besides capturing a highly coveted gold medal, the 17 year old has stood firm to remain a teen, as she has repeatedly disregarded agents, cash offers and even advice to train under famous coaches. Hence, her ultimate goal is to swim in college.
Oddly enough, Franklin is originally from Aurora, Colorado; the town of the horrific "Dark Knight" shooting.
"Every single race I'm going to have that Colorado incident back on my mind," she said last week before the Olympics opening ceremony. "It's such a terrible thing and I'm so shaken by it. They're in my thoughts this entire process."
In 2011, the gold medalist had won the FINA Swimmer of the Year award. She now has accrued a total of 9 medals in major international competition; which includes 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.
Unfortunately, for all the male admirers out there, Franklin does indeed have a boyfriend. The phenom's beau John Marterns, is a swimmer as well and they have been dating for nearly a year, according to Zimbio. The duo even practices together at the same pool.
"We try to support each other," said Martens.
"If we had a bad practice or a bad meet we try to bring each other back up, to tell each other to focus. It's only one bad day. You can work through it. Just that type of positive attitude," the significant other continued.
CLICK HERE FOR PICTURE OF MISSY FRANKLIN & BOYFRIEND JOHN MARTENS
