Coventry who clocked 2:08:18 only managed to finish ahead of two contestants Castel Alexianne of France on 2:08:43 and Russell Sinead of Canada who finished on 2:09:86.
The event was won by Franklin of the USA who touched on 2:04:06 to set a new world and Olympic record and in both beating times set by Coventry.
Before that Coventry held the world record of 2:04:81 set at the World Championship in Rome in 2009 and the Olympic record of 2:05:24 recorded at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
While Coventry was finishing third from last and Franklin taking the gold, Anastasia Zueva of Russia and Elizabeth Beisel of the USA were also smiling after taking silver and bronze.
Coventry has announced she will not take further part in the Olympics but will long be remembered for her exploits which has seen her win seven medals at both the 2004 and 2008 Games.
All in all Coventry has two gold medals, four silvers and a bronze, and will go in history as one of the best swimmers to have graced the Olympic Games.
Post published in: Athletics