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Olympic gold medalist encourages children to learn how to swim

Missy Franklin was in Holland Sunday inspiring children to get in the water and chase their dreams.

HOLLAND, Ohio — It doesn't get any better than this if you're an up and coming competitive swimmer but how about getting a swimming lesson from five time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin?

This is exactly what happened Sunday. Franklin was in Holland to encourage  children to learn how to swim.

RELATED: Five-time Olympic gold medalist to visit Holland, talk about the importance of learning to swim

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Folks remember Franklin as the darling of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. 

Although she is one of the best swimmers ever, she retired last year because of chronic shoulder pain.

But that doesn't mean she's staying away from the pool.

"I hope I'm an inspiration. It's something I always wanted to be. I take being a role model very seriously. And I know we all do. We want to inspire kids to get in the water and have fun and chase their dreams, whatever that may be," Franklin said. 

Kids looked up to her and said they expect to be better swimmers after spending time with her.

"Really, especially in free style. I don't do that a lot," Kyle Valdez said.

 "It was really helpful because no one really told me what I was doing wrong with my shoulders and stuff and elbows," Delaney Spradlin said. 

But there's another message Franklin wants to get out. .

She met the children at the opening of Safe splash and Swim Labs at the Spring Meadows Shopping Center.

The facility also offers swimming lessons, something Missy tours the country promoting for Safe Splash.

She said she hopes being a role model will inspire parents to sign up their kids for lessons as a way to save lives.

"Getting them into swimming lessons. Swimming lessons reduce your risk of drowning by 88 percent. So if your child does now know how to swim putting them into lessons is the best thing you can do for them as a parent," Franklin said.

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