Missy Franklin placed fifth in the finals of the women’s 100 meter freestyle Thursday in London, but set herself up for a shot at another gold the next day.
Looking to add to a medal count that already includes two golds and a bronze, Franklin posted a time of 53.64 seconds in the 100 freestyle, which put her fifth in the event won by Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands.
Kromowidjojo’s winning time was 53 seconds — establishing a new Olympic record that broke the one she set the previous day in the semifinals — putting her in front of silver medalist Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus (53.38) and bronze medalist Yi Tang of China (53.44).
Just 40 minutes earlier, Franklin put herself in position for a medal in the 200 meter backstroke, as she had the second-fastest time in the semifinals behind teammate Elizabeth Beisel.
Beisel clocked a time of 2:06.18 to win her semifinal, while Franklin cruised to first in the other semi in 2:06.84. The final is scheduled for Friday at 2:30 p.m. MT.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
WOMEN’S 100 METER FREESTYLE
Final: 1. Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Netherlands, 53.00 seconds; 2. Aliaksandra Herasimenia, Belarus, 53.38; 3. Tang Yi, China, 53.44; 4. Melanie Schlanger, Australia, 53.47; 5. Missy Franklin, Centennial, Colo., 53.64; 6. Francesca Halsall, Britain, 53.66; 7. Jeanette Ottesen Gray, Denmark, 53.75; 8. Jessica Hardy, United States, 54.02