By Erik Brady, USA TODAY
LONDON – Missy Franklin loves swimming so much she even enjoys watching someone else set records.
By Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports
Missy Franklin, shown practicing in London, qualified second for the final in the 100 backstroke.
Franklin qualified second for tonight's semifinals of the 100-meter backstroke behind Australia's Emily Seebohm, who set an Olympic record of 58.23 in the heat before Franklin, who won her heat in 59.37.
"Emily's race was unbelievable," Franklin gushed, "and it was so exciting watching her."
Seebohm's time is the best in the world this year, bettering Franklin's 58.85 set at the U.S. Olympic trials. Did Seebohm's blistering race give Franklin pause?
"No, absolutely not," Franklin said. "You can't let it. … I have no control over her and what she does. I only have control over myself and what I do, and I'm ecstatic about my time."
How much effort went into her race? Franklin, 17, answered in her typically effusive manner: "Oh, a lot, oh, my gosh! You can't take any chances here. I mean, we're at the Olympics and you have to get out there and do the best that you can. And I definitely know that I can be faster, but it's the fastest I've ever been in prelims, so I'm thrilled."
Franklin's idol, Natalie Coughlin, won the 100 back in 2004 and 2008, and Americans have won it nine times overall. The Australians never have won it, but they have two of the top three seeds going into the semis, including Belinda Hocking, who qualified third in 59.61.
Franklin sometimes has fretted about her start in the 100 back, but not today. "I thought it felt really good," she said. "I feel way more relaxed now. I was really happy with it."
The 100 back is Franklin's first individual event. She was a member of the team that won bronze in the 4x100 relay Saturday night, and she'll swim in seven events overall.
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