Olympic swimming: Franklin backstrokes to 100-m gold

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Missy Franklin of the United States celebrates with her gold medal during for Women’s 100m backstroke.

London, July 31 (IANS/RIA Novosti) American swimmer Missy Franklin won gold in a tight 100 metres backstroke final here at the Olympics Monday.

Franklin, 17, edged out Emily Seebohm to win in 58.37 seconds, with the Australian claiming silver clocking 58.65.

“It is exceeding the expectations one hundred billion times over! I couldn’t be happier,” said Franklin. On her strategy for the race, she added, “I knew I just had to give it everything I had.”

Japan’s Aya Terakawa took the bronze in 58.83 and Britain’s world record holder Gemma Spofforth came fifth in 59.20 seconds.

Franklin, who helped the US to bronze in Saturday’s 4×100 metres medley relay, is expected to win more medals in the other four events she will participate in.