Shortly before the joy of competing in the Olympics, Missy Franklin was thinking about the pain back home.
Franklin — the 17-year-old swimming phenom who attends Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora — and coach Todd Schmitz were in Vichy, France, with Team USA on July 20 preparing for the upcoming Games in London when word broke of the mass shooting at the Century 16 theater.
Tweeting to more than 25,000 followers, Franklin responded: “Praying for everyone hurt and affected by the theater shooting in Aurora. I’m in total disbelief and shock. Things happen so quickly.”
Added Schmitz, who has held various head coaching stints in Aurora at Grandview and Regis Jesuit, coaches the Colorado Stars club team and is an assistant on the Team USA staff: “My thoughts are with everyone back in my home of Aurora, Colorado.”
While thinking of the 12 dead and 58 other victims who were injured, Franklin and Schmitz had to turn their attention to the Olympics, where Franklin is to swim in seven events, the most any American woman has ever qualified for. She is a favorite to win gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes.
The Opening Ceremony of the Olympics is July 27 and Franklin is scheduled to hit the water the next day.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
