Swimming: US teen star Missy Franklin relishing historic bid for 8 world c'ship golds

US swimmer Missy Franklin gives a press conference ahead of the start of the swimming competition at the Fina World Championships at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona on Friday, July 26, 2013. Franklin is relishing tackling eight events when swimming's w
US swimmer Missy Franklin gives a press conference ahead of the start of the swimming competition at the Fina World Championships at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona on Friday, July 26, 2013. Franklin is relishing tackling eight events when swimming's world championships start on Sunday as the sport adjusts to life after Michael Phelps. -- PHOTO: AFP

BARCELONA (AFP) - Teenage pool star Missy Franklin is relishing tackling eight events when swimming's world championships start on Sunday as the sport adjusts to life after Michael Phelps.

Having retired after London 2012, where he collected a record 18th Olympic gold medal, Phelps, 28, will only be a spectator during the eight days of swimming's world championships in Barcelona.

The 18-year-old Franklin will be looking to emulate Phelps, who won eight golds at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, as she tackles a punishing programme.

Franklin's schedule includes the 100m and 200m freestyle, all three backstroke events over 50m, 100m and 200m and all three relays - eight events in total.

"It's definitely a lot, but I am very excited, these are some of my favourite races," she said on Friday.

Should she win all her events, she will manage something even Phelps failed to pull off - no swimmer, male or female, has ever won eight golds at a world championships.

Having won four golds at the 2012 Olympics, and three at the 2011 world championships in Shanghai, Franklin has been working on her 100m and 200m freestyle, where she finished fifth and fourth respectively in London.

"I was thrilled with how I did in London and exceeded my expectations there," said the teenager. "I've been training hard and working on the small things, so I am hoping it will all come off as the races happen."

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