Michael Sohn, The Associated PressIn this Aug. 8, 2016 file photo, United States' Missy Franklin prepares for a women's 200-meter freestyle heat during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin leaves the pool after the women's 200-meter freestyle semifinal on Aug. 8, 2016. Franklin finished eighth in her heat and did not qualify for the final.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin (right) of the United States is consoled by teammate Maya Dirado during the women's 200-meter backstroke semifinal at Rio 2016 on Aug. 11, 2016. Franklin, the world record holder in the event and the defending Olympic gold medalist, failed to make the finals.
Tom Pennington, Getty ImagesMissy Franklin of the United States reacts after competing a preliminary heat for the Women's 100 Meter Backstroke during Day Two of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 27, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin strokes during the women's 200-meter freestyle semifinal Aug. 8, 2016. Franklin finished eighth in her heat and did not qualify for the final.
Tom Pennington, Getty ImagesMissy Franklin, left, embraces Maya DiRado at the medal ceremony for the women's 200-meter backstroke during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on July 2, 2016, in Omaha.
Tom Pennington, Getty ImagesKatie Ledecky, left, Leah Smith, center, and Missy Franklin of the United States compete in a final heat for the women's 200-meter freestyle during the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CenturyLink Center on June 29, 2016 in Omaha.
Mark J. Terrill, The Associated PressMissy Franklin, second from left, dives at the start of her heat in the women's 100-meter backstroke preliminaries at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials June 27, 2016, in Omaha.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin trains under the guidance of Loren Landow Feb. 22, 2016, at Landow Performance.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin jokes with Chinese olympian Tang Yi as they train Feb. 17, 2016, at the Richie Center on the University of Denver Campus.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin pushes off the wall as she trains Feb. 17, 2016, at the Richie Center on the University of Denver Campus.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin jokes with James Boone as they train at CCCS Swimming Pool July 14, 2015, in the Lowry neighborhood.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostOlympian Missy Franklin trains at CCCS Swimming Pool July 14, 2015, in the Lowry neighborhood. Franklin recently left college and turned pro.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin's tattoo of the Olympic Rings are visible as she trains at CCCS Swimming Pool July 14, 2015, in the Lowry neighborhood.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostOlympian Missy Franklin trains at CCCS Swimming Pool July 14, 2015, in the Lowry neighborhood. Franklin recently left college and turned pro.
Brent Lewis, The Denver PostDENVER, CO - December 30: Rebecca Carcaterra, left, laughs with Olympian Missy Franklin while wear one of Franklin's gold medals December 30, 2014, at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver. Carcaterra, 19, was an all-state swimmer in high school and during her sophomore year of college was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a aggressive bone cancer. Carcaterra's dream was to be like Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin. (Photo By Brent Lewis/The Denver Post)
Adam Pretty, Getty ImagesFrom left: Gold medal winners Missy Franklin, Jessica Hardy, Dana Vollmer and Megan Romano celebrate on the podium after winning the women's medley 4x100-meter relay at the 15th FINA World Championships at Palau Sant Jordi on Aug. 4, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain.
David J. Phillip, The Associated PressMissy Franklin of the United States swims to the gold medal in the women's 100-meter backstroke final at the FINA Swimming World Championships May 10, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.
Clive Rose, Getty ImagesMissy Franklin competes during the women's 100-meter backstroke semifinal during the 15th FINA World Championships at Palau Sant Jordi July 29, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.
Adam Pretty, Getty ImagesMegan Romano and Missy Franklin, right, celebrate after the competing in the women'sÊ4x100-meterÊfreestyle on day nine of the 15th FINA World Championships at Palau Sant Jordi July 28, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostLeft to right, Prince Harry of Wales, Paralympian Bradley Snyder, and Olympian, Missy Franklin light the 2013 Warrior Games cauldron during opening ceremonies May 11, 2013, at the United States Olympic Training Center.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostPrince Harry, left, and British Ambassador Peter Westmacott, right, celebrate the 18th birthday of gold medal swimmer Missy Franklin, center, during the reception at Club House of Sanctuary Golf Course May 10, 2013, in Sedalia.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRegis Jesuit swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin presents three of the four memebers of the cycling group Blood, Sweat and Gears with an award during Sportswomen of Colorado. Top female athletes from around Colorado were honored for their successes.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostMissy Franklin, third from left, and Regis Jesuit High School swimmers jump into the pool after winning the 5A state Championship on Feb. 9, 2013 at Edora Pool Ice Center in Fort Collins.
John Leyba , The Denver PostMissy Franklin gives a little kiss to her Alaskan Malamute, Ruger after a sit down interview Jan. 24, 2013, six months after winning four gold medals at the 2012 London Games.
John Leyba , The Denver PostMissy Franklin stands in her kitchen with her mom D.A. talking about all the fan mail she has received in the six months since winning four gold medals at the 2012 London Games.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver PostOlympic gold medalist Missy Franklin of Regis Jesuit laughs alongside teammates during their swimming meet against Highlands Ranch Jan. 8, 2013, at Regis Jesuit swimming pool in Aurora.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostFour-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin arrives for the coin toss of the Denver Broncos game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, CO Sunday Sept. 9, 2012.
Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver PostOlympian Missy Franklin, center left, is greeted in the Regis High School gymnasium Aug. 27, 2012, by screams and cheers from fellow classmates. They school held a celebratory rally for the multi-medal winner. Franklin had her medals on hand so the students and teachers could see and touch them.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin, left, and Elizabeth Beisel hug during the awards ceremony after winning a gold and bronze respectively in women's 200-meter backstroke August 3, 2012, at the 2012 London Games. Franklin won the gold and set both a world and Olympic record with a time of 2:04.06.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin smiles after capturing the gold medal in the women's 200m backstroke Friday, August 3, 2012 at the London 2012 Summer Games. Franklin won the gold and set both a world and Olympic record with a time of 2:04.06.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin swims for the gold medal in the women's 200-meter backstroke August 3, 2012, at the 2012 London Games. Franklin won the gold and set both a world and Olympic record with a time of 2:04.06.
John Leyba, The Denver PostShannon Vreeland, Dana Volmer and Missy Franklin, right, surround Allison Schmitt as they celebrate their win in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay during the 2012 London Games. The team posted an Olympic Record with a time of 7:42.92 to capture the gold medal.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin swims in her first Olympics in the women's 4x100-meter freestyle relay July 28, 2012, at the Aquatics Centre in London. Missy swam the first leg of the relay.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin celebrates with her arms up after officially becoming an Olympian and setting a new american record in the women's 100-meter backstroke with a time of 58.85 during the 2012 U.S. Olympic team trials June 27, 2012 in Omaha.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin's dad Dick Franklin and mom D.A. Franklin, center, were all smiles after Missy hit a new American record in the women's 100-meter backstroke with a time of 58.85 during the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials June 27, 2012, in Omaha. Missy claimed a spot on the Olympic Team to London.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMissy Franklin pauses during a work out June, 7, 2012, at Lowry long course pool in Denver, as she gets ready for the London Olympics.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostMissy Franklin works out,June, 7, 2012, at Lowry long course pool in Denver as she gets ready for the up coming London Olympics.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin walks up the stair with an empty cupcake pan after her swim meet swims Feb. 26, 2012, at University of Denver. She made cupcakes for the team and friends.
John Leyba, The Denver PostMissy Franklin jokes around during her swim meet Feb. 26, 2012 at University of Denver.
Craig F. Walker, The Denver PostKeeping her head straight, Sophomore Missy Franklin, 15, balances a bottle on her forehead during her workout with the swim team at Regis Jesuit High School February, 3, 2011, in Aurora. Missy had been scheduled for dry land training in the afternoon but decided to join the Regis swim team for practice instead. Through her three swim practices this day, Missy would ultimately swim eight miles. Talking about the bond she has with her teammates at Regis, Missy says,"My friends are so supportive of everything I've been through. We're always happy for each other, no matter what... we're always proud of each other."
Sophomore Missy Franklin, left, and classmate Kendall Higgins work on a research paper for their Honors World History class in the library at Regis Jesuit High School Feb. 3, 2011, in Aurora. Inspired by her love of dolphins, Missy says she hopes to become a marine biologist. Talking about the bond she has with her teammates at Regis, Missy says,"My friends are so supportive of everything I've been through. We're always happy for each other - no matter what... we're always proud of each other."
Noah Rabinowitz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin, 13, has qualified for three olympic events and will compete in the trials held in Omaha, Nebraska this weekend.
John Leyba , The Denver PostMissy Franklin Missy sits down to an interview Jan. 24, 2013, six months after winning four gold medals at the summer Olympics. Franklin signed a national letter of intent to swim for the Golden Bears starting next September.
Michael Sohn, The Associated PressUnited States' Missy Franklin rests during a training session at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Al Bello, Getty ImagesMissy Franklin of the competes in the Women's 200m backstroke heat on Day 6 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Aug. 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMissy Franklin checks her time after a women's 200-meter backstroke eliminator heat at Rio 2016 on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
Michael Sohn, The Associated Press
1 of 47
In this Aug. 8, 2016 file photo, United States' Missy Franklin prepares for a women's 200-meter freestyle heat during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Expand
By Joe Nguyen | jnguyen@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
Former Regis Jesuit star and five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin announced her retirement from competitive swimming on Wednesday in a .
“It took me a long time to say the words, ‘I am retiring,'” she wrote. “A long, long time. But now I’m ready.”
Franklin, 23, said chronic injuries in her shoulders dating back to 2016 contributed to her decision.
“Technically speaking, my medical diagnosis is severe chronic tendonitis of both the rotator cuff and the bicep tendon,” she wrote. “After the failure of my last round of shots, I had only one other option: another surgery, and even that was a long shot.”
Between her junior and senior years in high school, she made her splash on the global stage at the 2012 Summer Games where she won four gold medals in London. Along the way, she broke two world records — the mark she set in the 200-meter backstroke still stands today.
“Swimming was my first true love,” she wrote. “Being in the water gave me a sense of freedom, playfulness and joy. It was where I could be completely and utterly myself.”
She said she plans to stay involved in swimming, “just in a different way.”
“I will never be able to express in words how grateful I am for swimming,” she wrote, “for the places it has taken me, the lessons it has taught me and, most importantly, the people it has brought into my life.”
This story will be updated.
