Franklin returns to her roots to prepare for Rio

Missy Franklin of the U.S. poses with her silver medal after the women's 200m backstroke final at the Aquatics World Championships in Kazan, Russia, August 8, 2015. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Like any University student taking a year off from study, Missy Franklin wanted to see the world, broadening her horizons in new and exotic locations.

She's managed to do that, but not quite the same way as most other students on sabbatical. There's no trekking with backpacks or sleeping in youth hostels for this American.