Missy Franklin is, in essence, the Phelps of these Olympics.
Of course, Phelps could win another seven medals, but that's old news. Franklin, too, could win seven medals – and she's just 17. If she can manage it, she would be the first American woman to do it. None has ever won more than six in a single Games.
It's a tall order. She's a favorite in her two backstroke events, and the US always hopes to medal in each of the three relays – leaving the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle as her wildcards. If Franklin succeeds, she might singlehandedly relegate the Phelps-Lochte showdown to the swimming undercard, which would be no small achievement in itself.
