LONDON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- America's Missy Franklin claimed her third gold medal of the Olympic Games and broke the 200 meters backstroke record into the bargain on Friday night.

Franklin, 17, had already claimed gold in the 100 meters backstroke and formed part of the US's women's 4x100 freestyle relay, but this was probably her best swim of the Games.

The youngster had paid the price on Thursday for racing twice in around half an hour and missed out in the 100 meter freestyle but a day's rest clearly made a difference as she stormed home in a time of 2.04.05 to beat the world record, set by Kirsty Coventry in Rome in 2009.

Coventry was in this race, but was unable to get into the medals. Meanwhile nobody was able to get close to Franklin, who was well clear of Russian Anastasia Zueva and Elizabeth Beisel, who had been the fastest in qualifying.

With the women's 4x100 meter medley to be raced on Saturday, Franklin has the chance to claim her fourth gold medal, which will make her the most successful swimmer in London. Enditem

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