No Need to Mourn as Missy Franklin Retires From Swimming at 23

Those of us in the swim community who watched Missy compete all of these years were most impressed with her humanity and grace. We wish her all the best as she enters the next exciting and fulfilling phases of her life. She will no doubt continue to inspire those who know her. And serve as a role model to not only swimmers but young athletes and young Americans.

I read the linked article about anxiety and depression and am quite surprised. However, after reading the article and personal accounts it makes sense that if you are on top of your game and it falters, or you fear it might, anxiety sets in. With anxiety often depression is present. I recall my (simple in comparison) days of high school sports and my anxiety that I may not play as well as expected "this time" when it previously was simply easy to play well. Our minds play tricks on us. At least this athlete is getting out early; anxiety starts out as one thing and can escalate into many if not alleviated early enough.

A winner in the truest sense of the word, and a hero to young women everywhere.

Best wishes to a person who seems to be a nice person and has her priorities straight. Athletes who sacrifice their future health by hanging on and on apparently have no other vision of themselves except as that Olympic Athlete. This young woman achieved amazing things. We owe her the right to move on to the next adventures of life. Congratulations on her retirement.

Missy, you power to greatness beaming love. Your way is true. You raise us all. Way to go! And thanks.

As an active and one-time competitive swimmer for over six decades, I hope Missy has learned the right lessons from swimming. One is that excessive competitive swimming is fundamentally unhealthy. Were her five golds worth the possibility that she'll have a bum shoulder and who knows what other physical and mental disability for the rest of her life? If she has an NFL mentality, she'll probably say yes. Another lesson is the wisdom of swimming in moderation. That not only means she should continue to swim regularly for the rest of her life but also that she should encourage her future children to do the same thing.

Best of luck to her in her future endeavors. Franklin worked hard, reached her full potential, always rose to the occasion, respected her teammates and competitors and carried herself with dignity. These are all traits that will serve her well as she moves on.

Missy Franklin will always be respected not only for the medals she won but for her leadership, candid and open dialogue about her depression and her time giving back to the sport and young children. I wish her peace and happiness and hope NBC puts her in the broadcast booth for the 2020 Olympics. It is time fans hear from her perspective as an articulate introspective woman athlete. Respectfully Donna de Varona

" May the road rise to meet you…" You're a Class Act!

Good for her. Key to life is know when to stop...talking, doing, thinking.

I mean, it’s sad she’s leaving, I used to swim on the team before her Stars practice at Smokey Hill Highschool in Colorado. I’m also not surprised that she’s leaving though. She did not do well in the last olympics because of her injuries and I’m unsure why the article is trying to play it down in its feel good eulogizing. I wish she had chosen to go pro and make her money while she still the opportunity instead of staying on her school team, but hey, to each their own.

Missy, You recognize the joy and wonder that awaits you. A new journey is beginning and you appreciate the wisdom you have already gleamed beyond the chlorinated waters. Thank you for the gracious example of diligence, grace, and pramatism you provide those of us of all ages. Your true rewards lie ahead.

The training regiment for swimmers can be draconian. Two sessions a day with ice bags on the shoulders can wear thin in a heartbeat. All that to shave tenths of a second off your personal best. The clock is the cruelest of mistresses. Franklin made the right choice.

Missy Franklin's positive and forward-looking attitude is, in large part, why she won so often so graciously including five gold medals. A monster career at 23. Imagine what she goes on to do next.

Perhaps in 18 years or so we'll be hearing of her offspring crushing it in the pool.

I’ll never forget the clip of her singing on the plane! Great young woman!!!!

Its not often that we have a true American Olympic hero that is also an amazing role model for our children in this day and age! Missy , You have made us so proud to be American! Best of luck in the next stage of your life!

Thank you so much for this wonderful, heartfelt tribute to a great Olympian and a unique, youthful role model for all of us. I have never forgotten her video performance with the Olympic swim team singing "Call Me ....Maybe..."! To me, it was a remarkable expression of her special charisma and joyful exuberance. I look forward to hearing more about her life,....and...Call Me ... Maybe? Best wishes to her.

Stellar career, classy exit. Wishing you continued success in all you do.

I watched her swim and enjoyed every minute of it. She's right to "retire" before she's forced into it and not at the top of her game. There is life outside of sports and winning. I wish her all the best and I hope that she has a wonderful life outside of swimming. Good luck!

Thank you for this article. To me, as a lifelong competitive swimmer, Missy Franklin’s words about what swimming embodies and teaches - discipline, perseverance and otherwise - ring very true. Having had shoulder surgery in college and having to retire in my 4th year, I can relate to the feelings that went into her decision. I am fortunate to have seen Missy Franklin’s sub-1:40 200 freestyle in person and I can say she was a joy to watch as a competitor, both in and out of the pool. And, as a note to Missy Franklin, there’s always Masters swimming where things aren’t quite as intense. I returned to the pool at 51 and still get the rush that we swimmers feel when we are in our element.

We have had many terrific athletes at Cal, men and women. But the hope is always that these committed athletes are not just here to wear the team colors (alongside the inevitable Nike logo), but to learn and grow just like every other student. When I see Missy Franklin say "I was able to stay true to who I am," I felt a warm and satisfying feeling. She didn't just represent Cal; I hope she also grew up and matured at Berkeley. At the very least the industrial - athletic machine of high stakes college sports didn't seem to harm her in her time here. Good luck and thank you; Fiat Lux.

In the 2012 Olympics, she flashed that smile on TV and I fell in love with her immediately. Her smile was like a beacon of love for all to see. I wanted her to compete for many years just so we could all see that smile again. But she can't swim for me or anyone else, just herself. She did the right thing. The training she has endured has taken its toll. Her body has to last many more decades and it needs to rest and repair. Olympic athletes train to reach the maximum performance levels of human possibility. That's like super fitness times ten. It's too much. Leave her alone and let her find her way in life. Let the pool be her recreation, not her torment. She's only 23. Her journey is just beginning.

Best of luck to you, Missy, as you continue in life. You have been such an inspiration. My teen swimmer will likely end her competitive career after high school and you have definitely helped grwat on this journey. I saw you swim at NCAA champs in Minnesota, and what I remember was your joy for the sport.

Thank you, Missy, for sharing your talents with the world. We are all so very fortunate to have watched you race and achieve so much. You have been a wonderful ambassador for the sport and you have represented the USA wonderfully. Enjoy the next phase of your life!

Franklin is very wise. I look forward to hearing how her new chapters in her life turn out. Have a wonderful life!

I will share this article with my high school swimmers that I coach, it is the right message about balance and perspective in life these days for hard working young people. Franklin is one of the great ambassadors of the sport in and out of the pool.