Mark Spitz (Part II)
In 1972, Mark Spitz participated in the Olympic Games that took place in Munich, where he once again claimed to win six gold medals. He gave amazing performances in these Games and took home seven gold medals. He not only won all these seven events, but
also set new world records in all of these meets. These races included the 100 metre freestyle, 200 metre freestyle, 100 metre butterfly, and 200 metre butterfly, 4 into 100 metre freestyle relay, 4 into 200 metre freestyle relay and 4 into 100 metre medley
relay. Before the 100 metre freestyle race, Mark was having double thoughts about contending in the race. He was recorded as saying that he wanted to win golds in all the events in which he participated otherwise he would consider himself a failure. He won
this event and became a hero by setting a world record.
Mark Spitz is an Olympian who has won more than nine career gold medals. There is only one swimmer till now who has been able to surpass this record set by Mark. That only American swimmer is Michael Phelps who broke Mark’s record in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Mark Spitz is a Jew and so he was evacuated from Munich during the Olympics, since 11 swimmers from the Israeli team were murdered by Palestinian terrorist. But this was not that big a problem for Mark because he had already completed in his events by the
time.
Surprisingly, the fancied swimmer retired from the sport at the age of 22.
He did however come out of his retirement for the Olympics that took place in 1992. He was 41 years when he competed for a place in the US Swimming Team at the Barcelona Games. He did not qualify for the Games as he finished 2 seconds later than the requisite
time at the US Olympic Trials.
Mark Spitz is also quite famous for his controversies at the Olympic Games. He was accused of product placement during the 1972 Olympic Games. After the 200 metre freestyle race at the Olympic Games, Mark was seen to walk barefoot and he was carrying his
shoes in his hands, which he put down when the American National Anthem was played. He picked the shoes again, once the anthem ended and then waved to the crowd of his enthusiastic fans. Later after the accusations, Mark tried to justify his act by saying
that he was innocent as his shoes were old and not paid for.
As for the 2008 Summer Olympics, he felt neglected because he was not invited to attend the Games in Beijing. The fact that annoyed Mark the most was that he was not asked to come and witness his fellow American swimmer Michael Phelps break his record at
the Olympic Games.
When he was questioned about Michael Phelps, he said that he has no hard feelings for the great swimmer, but since he has been listed as one of best five swimmers of all times, he should have been given some protocol for who he is. Mark also said that most
of the swimmers on the list of the five best Olympians are no more, but those who are, were invited except him. He got a lot of criticism after he boycotted the Olympic Games and was accused of being jealous of Michael Phelps.
Later on, he clarified this accusation and said that he was truly happy that such a talented athlete took his place and surpassed his world record. He also called Michael Phelps’ performance in the 100 metre butterfly race as ‘epic’.
Mark Spitz has been a consistent critic of the world swimming bodies FINA and IOC. His main issue with the authorities is that not much work has been done to keep the consumption of drugs out of the sport of swimming. Mark has also accused the organizations
for not testing the athletes thoroughly for doping and on the usage of prohibited drugs.
Mark Spitz continues to lives but is suffering from acid reflux disease.
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