Olympic champion Missy Franklin welcomed home, and back to school

Gold Medalist Missy Franklin returns home to Denver after London Olympics. Aug. 13, 2012

DENVER — The homecoming of 4-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Missy Franklin has been exhilarating and busy for the champion swimmer from Centennial.

FOX31 Denver was the only station to capture her arrival at DIA from London. Fans surrounded the 17-year-old swimming champion as she patiently signed autographs and gladly posed for pictures.

Then it was on to her home in Centennial, where neighbors greeted her with cheers and colorful signs. Franklin says she’s overwhelmed by the warm homecoming, “It’s all like totally unreal to me”.

Although she is booked to appear on the late night talk show circuit and make other appearances, Missy says school is her number one priority and she will begin the fall semester at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora this week.

She says,”The way I grew up you let what you do speak for you in whatever it is if you put in that hard work and effort it’s going to show.”

Students are, of course, overwhelmed with excitement.

Darwin Hernandez plays on the school’s soccer team and says, “She inspires me if I want to be famous like her I need to push it as much as I can.”

Members of the community are excited to welcome Missy home as well.

Kendyl Greimann says, “She can go anywhere do anything but she wants to go back to school  it’s wonderful.”

School officials tell FOX31 Denver that they are extremely proud of Missy’s accomplishments but plan on protecting her privacy in an effort to provide her with as normal of a school experience as possible.

Missy says one thing she looks forward to is continuing to participate on the school’s swim team. The team should probably be prepared for an extra large crowd at upcoming meets.