Adam Pretty, Al Bello/Getty ImagesTwo of our favorite members of Team USA are nearing the end of their Olympics run, but they can return home knowing that they made us mere mortals back in the U.S. of A very proud.
Both Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin won gold medals today in London in the 100 meter butterfly and the 200 meter backstroke, respectively.
The win marks Phelps 21st medal, 17th gold overall and 3rd gold at the London games. The most medaled Olympian also set the U.S. record for the event in his last individual race of the 2012 Olympics.
"I just wanted this one to be a win. We can smile and be happy. It was fun," Phelps said when he exited the pool in London's Aquatics Centre.
Phelps will have one more chance to up his medal count to 22. On Saturday, he will compete in the relay team in the 4x100-meter medley event.
Just minutes before Phelps' big win, 17-year-old Missy Franklin won the 200 backstroke by nearly a second, earning her fourth medal and third gold of the London games.
Her win marks the first time the U.S. has won the gold in the event in 40 years, and the humble Colorado girl continued to dedicate her success to the theater shooting victims:
"I've been dreaming about this moment my whole life," Franklin told the BBC right after the race. "I dedicate every single thing I've done here to my hometown. I've had so many supportive tweets and Facebook messages saying I've brought a smile to Colorado and it means the world to me."
Although this was Franklin's last individual race as well, Missy will also have a chance to up her golden tally in the 4x100 medley relay Saturday.
Congrats to both Missy and Michael on their record-smashing swims!