RIO DE JANEIRO -- Dance parties. Dark chocolate. Calls to mom.All are helping Missy Franklin cope with an Olympics gone wrong.A huge star at the London Games four years ago, Franklin was one of the biggest U.S. disappointments in Rio de Janeiro -- an inexplicable fall shes at a loss to explain.I really wish I could tell you, Franklin said Thursday, not long before her final race. In my mind, I made the hardest sacrifices Ive ever had to make this year. Ive poured myself into this every single day for the whole year and the three years leading up to that. For whatever reason, its just not happening at this meet.Franklins last event epitomized her struggles.In the 200-meter backstroke, an event she won at London, Franklin finished next-to-last in her semifinal heat with the 14th-ranked time overall, 2 minutes, 9.74 seconds. That was nearly 3 seconds slower than her semifinal time at the 2012 Games -- and more than 5 1/2 seconds off her gold medal-winning performance.This has been by far the hardest week of my entire life, Franklin said, her voice breaking and tears in her eyes. Theres definitely a bit of relief that it is over.As a high school senior-to-be, Franklin competed in a staggering seven events in 2012, winning four gold medals and a bronze. She became only the second American woman, after Amy Van Dyken, to capture four golds at a single Olympics.But, following two years swimming collegiately at California and then turning pro last summer, Franklin hasnt been able to recapture the form that made her one of the most-hyped -- and heavily sponsored -- U.S. athletes heading into the Rio Olympics.She struggled at the U.S. trials, qualifying for the team in only two individual events, both with runner-up finishes.In Rio, she didnt make the final of either event, also getting knocked out in the semifinals of the 200 freestyle. Given her form, the coaches only picked her to swim the preliminary of the 4x200 free relay, a decision that would have seemed unfathomable just a few months ago but didnt meet with any protest from Franklin.I was absolutely fine with it, Franklin said. They 100 percent made the right decision.The 21-year-old still earned a gold medal -- the fifth of her career -- when a Katie Ledecky-led squad swept to victory in the relay final.That did little to ease the sting for Franklin.Shes ready to go home to Colorado.Right now, my future is not warming down and eating a Popsicle tonight, she said, recapturing her omnipresent smile. Thats just about all Im thinking about. Its been a really hard year for me. Its going to take some time for me to recover from it and thats what I plan on doing. Spending some quality time with family and just getting back on my feet and making sure that I keep a smile on my face the whole time.To her credit, Franklin showed that her bubbly, accommodating personality was no facade.She never skipped out on a session with reporters in the mixed zone, even when she knew what the questions would be. Instead of avoiding the media, she was always gracious and forthcoming.Franklin has coped with her struggles by leaning heavily on her religious faith.My faith in God is really getting me through, she said. I know that hes going to make something beautiful out of this, hes going to transform me and my life into doing something from all of this. I have no clue what that is. I wish I could ask him what hes going to do.Her teammates did all they could to help.I just throw a couple of random dance parties. I take some really, really horrendous Snapchats of her, Cierra Runge said. Whatever I can do to make her laugh.Those Dove chocolate candies with the inspirational messages on the wrapper help, too.One of the verses really stuck with Franklin.Every day is an opportunity to change things for the better, she recounted. That was a good reminder that regardless of how things have been going, how Ive been feeling, every day is a new opportunity.And, of course, she can always turn to her family.Youre never too old to call your mom and cry and ask her for advice, Franklin said. Its going to be OK. Im loved. Im supported. When you put things in perspective, if a disappointing meet is the worst thing that happens in my life, then I have a pretty damn good life.Franklin will return to Cal in the fall to resume her studies, but she made clear that her swimming career isnt over.It doesnt mean Im anywhere close to being done with this sport, she said. Ive got so much left to give to this sport, to my fans, to the people whove been supporting me.If theres a bright side, Franklin has learned just how much shes really loved.Yeah, its a disappointment. But the support Ive received has shown me so much more than I ever couldve expected, she said. Youre so much more than the number of medals you have, youre so much more than the time you spend in the pool, your value goes so beyond all of that. I dont think I ever wouldve come to that realization without going through something like this.---Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry . Craig Mager Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Joey Bosa Jersey .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. http://www.chargersauthenticshop.com/Chargers-Corey-Liuget-Draft-Jersey/ . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. Philip Rivers Jersey . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. 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Their season high undefeated in regulation time streak will be put on the line Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre when the Predators arrive for a rematch.We didnt have a good game in Nashville the last time we played them, so weve got to be prepared, and we all know it, captain Erik Karlsson said after scoring the winner in a 3-2 shootout against the Flyers Tuesday. Its coming along.The Predators (6-6-3) had a streak of their own stopped Tuesday night when they visited the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first of a three game road trip. The 6-2 setback halted their run of victories at three games and was the first time seven the Predators failed to grab a least a point.Nashville suffered a power shortage in Toronto after a 5-0 victory over Vancouver its previous game.I felt like we had some good offensive time but every time we make a mistake it kind of found its way in the back of the net, said winger James Neal, who has five goals and one assist in his last four games. We had a good home stretch and were playing good hockey. It was a tough one (against the Leafs) but well regroup.The Predators are hoping to welcome back No. 1 goalie Pekka Rinne, who missedd the Toronto game with a lower-body injury.dddddddddddd In Ottawa on Wednesday, Rinne said he was good to go but was still waiting for clearance.While the Senators have struggled mightily with a power play that ranks 30th in the league, their penalty killers are on a roll. Theyve survived 29 consecutive shorthanded situations, including four against the Flyers.Philadelphia leads the league in power-play goals.Its just time, its the same players getting use to each other, said coach Guy Boucher. Thats what weve got right now. The guys are working extremely hard. Theyre paying a price.The game will mark the return to the area of Predators defenseman P.K. 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