SportsRio OlympicsMissy Franklin

Missy Franklin Gets A Heartfelt Homecoming After A Tough Week In Rio

And that's why you always leave a note.
Open Image Modal
By 

National Reporter, HuffPost

|

Missy Franklin returned home Wednesday after the Rio Olympics to hundreds of encouraging handwritten notes on heart-shaped cards staked into her Denver-area lawn.

“I am beyond blown away by this love and compassion,” she wrote under a video of the display on Instagram. “Following one of the toughest weeks of my life, I was so nervous about what I was coming home to and to see the people I wanted more than anything to make proud.”

”To come home to this... I have no words,” she continued. “THANK YOU to the people whose support has been unwavering, and whose love never ceases to inspire and amaze me. I have the best community in the world around me!”

The seemingly perfect pick-me-up marked the end of a disappointing Olympic showing for Franklin, who won four gold medals in 2012 in London but struggled to find her stride this time around, winning one gold as part of the 4x200 meter freestyle relay in Rio de Janeiro.

For more Olympics coverage:

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Photos Show Olympics Fans Are The Best Fans
(01 of13)
Open Image Modal
A fan (L) and a volunteer chest pump during the women's beach volleyball qualifying match between the Netherlands and Australia at the Beach Volley Arena in Rio de Janeiro on August 10, 2016, for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (credit:LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)
(02 of13)
Open Image Modal
Japanese supporter looks on before the Group B Japan versus Colombia soccer match in Manaus, Brazil on August 7, 2016. (credit:Bruno Kelly / Reuters)
(03 of13)
Open Image Modal
A golf fan wearing a Pippi Longstocking outfit flashes the V-sign during the men's individual stroke play at the Olympic Golf course during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 11, 2016. (credit:EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
(04 of13)
Open Image Modal
A fan is seen before the Women's Preliminary Group B Netherlands versus France match in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 6, 2016. (credit:Marko Djurica / Reuters)
(05 of13)
Open Image Modal
USA Fans show their support during the women's rugby match between France and USA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 8, 2016. (credit:Alessandro Bianchi / Reuters)
(06 of13)
Open Image Modal
A fan queues to buy tickets to Olympic events in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016. (credit:Marcos Brindicci / Reuters)
(07 of13)
Open Image Modal
Team USA fan dressed as Captain America poses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 8, 2016 (credit:Jim Young / Reuters)
(08 of13)
Open Image Modal
A fan poses before the start of the Women's road cycling race at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Fort Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro on August 7, 2016. (credit:BRYN LENNON/AFP/Getty Images)
(09 of13)
Open Image Modal
A fan of Argentina wears a horse mask at the Olympic Park during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 9, 2016. (credit:ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images)
(10 of13)
Open Image Modal
Fans of South Africa cheer their team during their Rio 2016 Olympic Games First Round Group A men's football match South Africa vs Iraq at the Corinthians Arena, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 10, 2016. (credit:MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP/Getty Images)
(11 of13)
Open Image Modal
A German fan cheers his team prior to the men's preliminaries Group B handball match Sweden vs Germany for the Rio 2016 Olympics Games at the Future Arena in Rio on August 7, 2016. (credit:FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
(12 of13)
Open Image Modal
Fiji fans enjoy the atmosphere during the Women's Placing 7-8 Rugby Sevens match between Spain and Fiji on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Deodoro Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (credit:David Rogers/Getty Images)
(13 of13)
Open Image Modal
A German fan laughs during the Women's First Round Group F match between Germany and Canada on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Mane Garrincha Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Brasilia, Brazil. (credit:Celso Junior/Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip