Swimming rules the day as USA adds 2 more gold medals

**Admin** Tue Jul 31, 2012 1:56 am

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MONDAY, JULY 30 - Missy Franklin was perch atop a podium in London after winning gold in the 100-meter backstroke in women's swimming. The 6-foot-1 Franklin is the youngest U.S. swimmer in these Olympic Games, and put her considerable length to good use. Devouring the pool in big strokes down the final 50 meters, Franklin charged from second place after the turn, overtaking Australia’s Emily Seebohm in the final 50 and winning gold in 58.33 seconds.

It’s the second medal of the Games for Franklin, who also captured bronze in the 4x100 freestyle relay. Amazingly enough, Franklin won the gold less than 15 minutes after qualifying for the finals of the 200-meter freestyle. The two races were so close together that Franklin didn’t even return to the warm-down pool in between, choosing instead to warm down in the diving pool while other races continued.

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United States swimmers Matt Grevers and Nick Thoman went 1-2 in the 100 backstroke at the London Olympics, winning gold and silver respectively. Grevers, a 2008 silver medalist in the event, was heavily favored to win the 100 back. He took command from the outset and wasn't challenged in winning the first individual gold medal of his career, touching in an Olympic record 52.16. The silver medal from Thoman was more of a surprise as he had never medaled in an individual event at a major international event and entered the finals seeded fifth.

OTHER USA MEDALS WON...

SILVER - Swimming (Rebecca Soni - Women's 100m Breaststroke)

BRONZE - Swimming (Men's Synchronized 10m Platform), Judo (Marti Malloy - Women's 57kg)