Team USA’s Missy Franklin returned home to a lawn full of paper hearts

TEAM USA’s Missy Franklin had a pretty disheartening Olympic Games, but that didn’t matter in the slightest to her fans.

Missy Franklin of the United States returned home to a heartwarming tribute.

TEAM USA’s Missy Franklin may not have had the most successful Olympic Games, but that didn’t matter in the slightest to her fans.

After leaving Rio, the five-time Olympic medallist returned to her home in Centennial, Colorado and was greeted with the most touching surprise.

Hundreds of heart-shaped notes of encouragement were scattered over her lawn, each with its own handwritten message of appreciation and support.

The swimmer, overwhelmed by the tribute, shared a short video with fans on social media, thanking them for the surprise.

“I am beyond blown away by this love and compassion,” the 21-year-old athlete captioned the video post. “Following one of the toughest weeks of my life, I was so nervous about what I was coming home to and to see the people I wanted more than anything to make proud. To come home to this ... I have no words.

“THANK YOU to the people whose support has been unwavering, and whose love never ceases to inspire and amaze me. I have the best community in the world around me!”

I am beyond blown away by this love and compassion. I have the best community in the world around me! THANK YOU💖 pic.twitter.com/iuoQDHY1lP

— Missy Franklin (@missyfranklin) August 17, 2016

Franklin failed to qualify for the finals of two individual events at Rio, although she did receive a gold medal for her part in the 4x200 metre freestyle relay.

It was a bit of a let-down following her performance in London in 2012, where she walked away with four golds and one bronze.

All in all, a much warmer homecoming than the semi-awkward airport return of Franklin’s fellow swimmer Michael Phelps. The 23-time gold medallist promptly shut down a reporter attempting to interview him while he walked through the terminal at the local airport in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and newborn son.

Originally published as Team USA’s Missy Franklin returned home to a lawn full of paper hearts