Missy Franklin wins another gold medal in 200 meter backstroke, breaks world record

Sorry, Missy Franklin, but unless Senator Marco Rubio's bill to exempt medal-winning Olympians from paying taxes passes, you're going to owe Uncle Sam another $8,000-plus. That's because Franklin just won a gold medal in the 200 meter backstroke, setting a world record in the process...

By Michael Roberts

August 3, 2012

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Sorry, Missy Franklin, but unless Senator Marco Rubio's bill to exempt medal-winning Olympians from paying taxes passes, you're going to owe Uncle Sam another $8,000-plus.

That's because Franklin just won a gold medal in the 200 meter backstroke, setting a world record in the process.

As noted by Fox News in the post linked above, Franklin finished the race in two minutes, 4.06 seconds, three-quarters of a second faster than previous planetary record holder Kirsty Coventry, a Zimbabwe swimmer who wore a bodysuit that was subsequently banned.

Silver medalist Anastasia Zueva of Russia and U.S. teammate Elizabeth Beisel, who took the bronze, finished well over a second behind Franklin -- a sizable margin at this level of competition.

Among those who witnessed this feat was U.S. Olympic basketballer Andre Iguodala, who tweeted the following:

Just saw Missy Franklin break the 200m backstroke record! #teamusa
— Andre Iguodala (@mindofAI9) August 3, 2012

The rest of us will have to wait until tonight: Thanks, NBC! But it'll be well worth waiting for.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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