- Born
- Birth nameMark Andrew Spitz
- Height6′ (1.83 m)
- Mark Andrew Spitz (born February 10, 1950) is an American former competition swimmer, nine-time Olympic champion, and former world record-holder in seven events. He won seven gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, an achievement surpassed only by Michael Phelps, who won eight golds at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Spitz set new world records in all seven events in which he competed in 1972.
Between 1968 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic golds, a silver, and a bronze; five Pan American golds; 31 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) titles; and eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles. During those years, he set 35 world records, but two were in trials and unofficial. He was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971, and 1972 by Swimming World Magazine. He was the third athlete to win nine Olympic gold medals.
- IMDb mini biography by: Dibyayan Chakravorty
- SpouseSuzy Spitz(May 6, 1973 - present) (2 children)
- ChildrenJustin Alexander SpitzMatthew Eric Spitz
- ParentsArnold SpitzLenore Sylvia Smith
- Winner of an unprecedented 7 gold medals in swimming at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Winner of 2 gold medals in the 1968 Mexico City olympics.
- Considered the swiftest swimmer of all time, made his big splash during the 1972 Olympics, becoming the first athlete to win seven gold medals in an Olympiad. His performances were even more remarkable considering world records were set in all seven events.
- Still only aged 22, he retired from swimming after the Munich Olympics.
- American swimming sensation 19-year old Michael Phelps aspired to break Spitz's record of 7 gold medals, at the Athens Olympics. Phelps, however, had to settle for 8 medals, 6 gold, and 2 bronze, respectively.
- Sons: Matthew (b. 1981) and Justin (b. 1991)
- I think what made me great, was that I was a great racer, not because I was a great swimmer.
- Part of winning is the phenomena of being able to convince those that compete against you that they are competing for second.
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