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Missy Franklin - America's new sweetheart

  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Missy Franklin receives the Female Athlete Of The Year award the 2011 Golden Goggles at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for USA Swimming)
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    Golden Goggles

    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Missy Franklin receives the Female Athlete Of The Year award the 2011 Golden Goggles at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for USA Swimming)
    Noel Vasquez
  • OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: Missy Franklin celebrates after she won the championship final of the Women's 100 m Backstroke during Day Three of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 27, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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    2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials - Day 3

    OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: Missy Franklin celebrates after she won the championship final of the Women's 100 m Backstroke during Day Three of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 27, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
    Jamie Squire
  • TODAY -- Pictured: Missy Franklin appears on NBC News' "Today" show -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire)
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    Today - Season 61

    TODAY -- Pictured: Missy Franklin appears on NBC News' "Today" show -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire)
    NBC NewsWire
  • SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 29: Melissa Franklin of the United States competes in the Women's 200m Backstroke semi final during Day Fourteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 29, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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    Swimming Day Fourteen - 14th FINA World Championships

    SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 29: Melissa Franklin of the United States competes in the Women's 200m Backstroke semi final during Day Fourteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 29, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
    Lintao Zhang
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Missy Franklin of the United States competes in the Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinal 2 on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 6 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Missy Franklin of the United States competes in the Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinal 2 on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
    Ezra Shaw
  • OMAHA, NE - JUNE 30: Missy Franklin competes in preliminary heat 19 of the Women's 200 m Backstroke during Day Six of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 30, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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    2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials - Day 6

    OMAHA, NE - JUNE 30: Missy Franklin competes in preliminary heat 19 of the Women's 200 m Backstroke during Day Six of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 30, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
    Jamie Squire
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Missy Franklin of the United States celebrates with her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m Backstroke on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 3 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Missy Franklin of the United States celebrates with her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m Backstroke on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
    Adam Pretty
  • SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 30: Melissa Franklin of the United States smiles after winning the gold medal in the Women's 200m Backstroke Final during Day Fifteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 30, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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    Swimming Day Fifteen - 14th FINA World Championships

    SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 30: Melissa Franklin of the United States smiles after winning the gold medal in the Women's 200m Backstroke Final during Day Fifteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 30, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
    Lintao Zhang
  • BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 22: Missy Franklin of USA competes in the women's 200 m freestyle A final during day one of the Swimming World Cup 2011 at the Eurosportpark on October 22, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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    FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2011 - Day 1

    BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 22: Missy Franklin of USA competes in the women's 200 m freestyle A final during day one of the Swimming World Cup 2011 at the Eurosportpark on October 22, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
    Boris Streubel
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Anastasia Zueva of Russia congratulates Missy Franklin of the United States on winning the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 7 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Anastasia Zueva of Russia congratulates Missy Franklin of the United States on winning the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
    Lars Baron
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: (L-R) Missy Franklin of the United States competes in heat 3 of the Women's 200m Freestyle on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 3 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: (L-R) Missy Franklin of the United States competes in heat 3 of the Women's 200m Freestyle on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
    Adam Pretty
  • NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: Missy Franklin of the U.S. National Swim Team poses for a photo on the red carpet prior to the 7th Annual Golden Goggle Awards at the Marriott Marquis on November 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Missy Franklin
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    Golden Goggle Awards

    NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: Missy Franklin of the U.S. National Swim Team poses for a photo on the red carpet prior to the 7th Annual Golden Goggle Awards at the Marriott Marquis on November 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Missy Franklin
    Mike Stobe
  • WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Swimmer Missy Franklin poses for a portrait during the USOC Portrait Shoot at Smashbox West Hollywood on November 19, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for USOC)
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    USOC Portrait Shoot

    WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Swimmer Missy Franklin poses for a portrait during the USOC Portrait Shoot at Smashbox West Hollywood on November 19, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for USOC)
    Harry How
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    2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials - Day 6

  • TODAY -- Pictured: Missy Franklin -- (Photo by: Dave Hogan/NBC NewsWire/NBCU Photo Bank)
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    Today - Season 61

    TODAY -- Pictured: Missy Franklin -- (Photo by: Dave Hogan/NBC NewsWire/NBCU Photo Bank)
    NBC
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland, and Allison Schmitt of the United States stand on the podim during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x200m Freestyle Relay on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 5 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland, and Allison Schmitt of the United States stand on the podim during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x200m Freestyle Relay on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
    Clive Rose
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Gold medallist Missy Franklin of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 7 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Gold medallist Missy Franklin of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
    Al Bello
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Elizabeth Beisel of the United States congratulates Missy Franklin of the United States on winning the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 7 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Elizabeth Beisel of the United States congratulates Missy Franklin of the United States on winning the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
    Ian MacNicol
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Elizabeth Beisel (R) of the United States and Missy Franklin of the United States react after Franklin won the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 7 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Elizabeth Beisel (R) of the United States and Missy Franklin of the United States react after Franklin won the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
    Clive Rose
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Gold medallists, Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt of the United States pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x100m medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 8 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Gold medallists, Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt of the United States pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x100m medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
    Ian MacNicol
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Missy Franklin of the United States speak to the media during a press conference on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julia Vynokurova/Getty Images)
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    Olympics Day 8 - Around the Games

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Missy Franklin of the United States speak to the media during a press conference on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julia Vynokurova/Getty Images)
    Julia Vynokurova
  • LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: U.S. Olympians Missy Franklin and Breeja Larson visit the USA House at the Royal College of Art on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOC)
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    US Olympic Athlete Medalists Visit USA House

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: U.S. Olympians Missy Franklin and Breeja Larson visit the USA House at the Royal College of Art on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOC)
    Joe Scarnici
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Missy Franklin receives the Female Athlete Of The Year award the 2011 Golden Goggles at JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for USA Swimming)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: Missy Franklin celebrates after she won the championship final of the Women's 100 m Backstroke during Day Three of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 27, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
TODAY -- Pictured: Missy Franklin appears on NBC News' "Today" show -- (Photo by: Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 29: Melissa Franklin of the United States competes in the Women's 200m Backstroke semi final during Day Fourteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 29, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Missy Franklin of the United States competes in the Women's 200m Backstroke Semifinal 2 on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 30: Missy Franklin competes in preliminary heat 19 of the Women's 200 m Backstroke during Day Six of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 30, 2012 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Missy Franklin of the United States celebrates with her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m Backstroke on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - JULY 30: Melissa Franklin of the United States smiles after winning the gold medal in the Women's 200m Backstroke Final during Day Fifteen of the 14th FINA World Championships at the Oriental Sports Center on July 30, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 22: Missy Franklin of USA competes in the women's 200 m freestyle A final during day one of the Swimming World Cup 2011 at the Eurosportpark on October 22, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Anastasia Zueva of Russia congratulates Missy Franklin of the United States on winning the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: (L-R) Missy Franklin of the United States competes in heat 3 of the Women's 200m Freestyle on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: Missy Franklin of the U.S. National Swim Team poses for a photo on the red carpet prior to the 7th Annual Golden Goggle Awards at the Marriott Marquis on November 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Missy Franklin
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Swimmer Missy Franklin poses for a portrait during the USOC Portrait Shoot at Smashbox West Hollywood on November 19, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for USOC)
TODAY -- Pictured: Missy Franklin -- (Photo by: Dave Hogan/NBC NewsWire/NBCU Photo Bank)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland, and Allison Schmitt of the United States stand on the podim during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x200m Freestyle Relay on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Gold medallist Missy Franklin of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Elizabeth Beisel of the United States congratulates Missy Franklin of the United States on winning the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Elizabeth Beisel (R) of the United States and Missy Franklin of the United States react after Franklin won the Women's 200m Backstroke Final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 3, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Gold medallists, Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt of the United States pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x100m medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Missy Franklin of the United States speak to the media during a press conference on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Julia Vynokurova/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: U.S. Olympians Missy Franklin and Breeja Larson visit the USA House at the Royal College of Art on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOC)

Teenage US swim star Missy Franklin, who won four gold medals and broke two world records on her Olympic debut in London, is now the undisputed new American swimming queen. It could also launch the bubbly teenager on the trail of becoming the greatest female Olympian of all-time with Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, winner of nine golds, a reachable target should she forge ahead to another couple of Olympics.