Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin Johnson, who swam for Team USA in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics before officially retiring in 2018, will be returning to the Olympics as a correspondent for Yahoo Sports in Paris this year. In an interview, Franklin expressed her excitement for the opportunity and discussed her work with kidney disease awareness, as well as her advice for parents on when to start teaching kids to swim. She also shared her predictions for swimmers to watch at the upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of joy in the sport.
Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin Johnson, known for her stellar performances at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, will make a return to the games as a correspondent for Yahoo Sports in Paris. Franklin, who retired in 2018, expressed excitement about the upcoming role, accompanied by her husband and young daughter. Reflecting on the pressure and intensity of Olympic trials and the games themselves, Franklin highlighted the significance of making the team and representing the country with pride.
Aside from her achievements in the pool, Franklin has been actively involved in raising awareness for kidney disease, inspired by her father’s battle with a genetic disorder. Through her work with OTA, she advocates for early detection and family health history discussions to address hereditary diseases effectively. Franklin shared a heartwarming story of a fellow Olympic swimmer donating a kidney to her father, emphasizing the importance of supportive relationships and proactive healthcare planning.
Additionally, Franklin underscored the importance of water safety and early exposure to swimming for young children, advocating for starting lessons as early as six months old. Looking ahead to the Paris games, she highlighted swimmers to watch, including familiar names like Katie Ledecky and emerging talents Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglas. Franklin’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for the sport serve as a reminder of the joy essential in pursuing excellence as an athlete.
