Missy Franklin closed out her stellar Olympic debut by swimming the backstroke leg for Team USA’s world-record gold-medal performance (3:52.05) in the 4×100-meter medley relay. Franklin was joined on the podium by teammates Allison Schmitt (freestyle), Rebecca Soni (breaststroke) and Dana Vollmer (butterfly) on this final day of swimming at the 2012 London Games.

Franklin finished with five medals in seven events including four golds (100-meter backstroke, 200-meter backstroke, 4×200-meter freestyle relay and 4×100-meter medley relay) and a bronze (4×100-meter freestyle relay). The 17-year old phenom from Aurora, Colo., also set a new world record in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:04.06 and a new American record in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 58:33. Franklin closed out the competition as the most decorated female swimmer at the London Games.

Just prior to the U.S. Olympic Trials, Franklin talked to Inspiring Athletes about the importance of faith in her life:

“Every day over the last three years, my faith has grown,” she said. “One of my favorite times is going to our beautiful school chapel and spending time with God. This year, I attended Kairos with my Regis Jesuit sisters and it changed my life forever. I now really work on keeping my faith strong.”

Read more of that interview by clicking the link below:

A conversation with Missy Franklin

And for more great stories about past and present Christian Olympians, check out Chad Bonham’s book Glory of the Games featuring Tamika Catchings, Ryan Hall, Hunter Kemper, Josh Davis, Shannon Miller and many others.