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Five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin retires from swimming at 23

Related Topics: FINA, Gold, Missy Franklin, Retirement

At just 23 years old, with five Olympic gold medals, a world record in the 200-meter backstroke and two FINA Swimmer of the Year Awards, Missy Franklin is hanging up her goggles.

In a letter on ESPN, Franklin announced her retirement, citing chronic shoulder pain that she's been battling for more than two years.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the 17-year-old Franklin burst onto the scene, winning four gold medals while stealing the hearts of Americans with her big personality and even bigger smile.

"This is by no means the end," Franklin wrote.