Allison Schmitt: American Brings Home Gold, Olympic Record in 200m Freestyle

American Allison Schmitt won the gold medal in Olympic record time in the 200-meter freestyle. 

The Wall Street Journal’s Rachel Bachman reported the result via Twitter:

"

Allison Schmitt wins gold in 200 free -- in Olympic record time. Missy Franklin 4th. #London2012

— Rachel Bachman (@Bachscore) July 31, 2012"

Schmitt is a 22-year-old competing in her second Olympics. In Beijing, she did not medal in any individual event.

She came to London having demonstrated plenty of potential in the freestyle events. Schmitt proved that London would be her arrival on the international swimming scene with a dominant performance in her most recent race.

Schmitt finished the race in 1:53.61, nearly two seconds ahead of France’s Camille Muffat, who took silver. Australia’s Bronte Barratt won bronze, and Schmitt’s teammate, 17-year-old phenom Missy Franklin, took fourth.

Franklin led the race after the first sprint across the pool, but Schmitt passed her and controlled the race after that.

This is Schmitt’s third medal in London. She took bronze in the 4x100 freestyle relay and silver in 400-meter freestyle.

The Michigan native has proven that she is one of the bright young stars in American swimming. With her and Franklin set to compete in at least one more Olympics together, the women’s team has plenty to be optimistic about.

Schmitt has one more event in London as she tries to medal in all four of her races this summer. She will be part of the 4x200 freestyle relay, with the qualifying race starting on Wednesday, August 1 at 6:26 a.m. ET and the finals at 3:04 p.m. that same day.

All schedules and results can be found at NBCOlympics.com.