Who is better, Phelps or Spitz?

Question

Who is better, Spitz or Phelps? Well, the reality is that every one of the top eight in the comparable events were better in 2008 than was Spitz in 1972.

As you read this little tid bit of information, keep in mind that Phelps also swam the 200m and 400m Individual Medley. The 400 IM is, without a doubt, the most grueling race in all of swimming. Phelps set world records in both of those races. Phelps swam 5 individual races and set world records in 4 of them. Spitz went 4 for 4..

Mark Spitz, 1972 .....................2008 Olympic results

All of Spitz’s times

were world records..............1st.............8th Place

*200 m butterfly...2:00.7......1:52.03 (Phelps-WR)........1:55.14

**200 m freestyle 1:52.78.....1:44.85 (Phelps-WR).......1:47.47

***100 m freestyle 51:22.......47.21.........48.33 (no Phelps)

..............................WR(47.05... set in prelims by Alain

................................Bernad who was also the winner.

****100 m butterfly....54.27......50.58 (Phelps)........51.86

* Michael Phelps split 53.53 at 100 meters, the HALF WAY point of his 200 meter butterfly which was faster than Spitz’s 1972 World Record (54.27) swim for the 100 (of course, Phelps still had 100 meters to go!). Phelps set a world record in winning

**Phelps’ 100 m split (half way) for his 200 m swim was 51.54, only 0.32 slower than Spitz’s World Record for the 100 m swim in 1972.

***On the anchor of the US’s 400 free relay, Jason Lezak swam a 46.06. However, on relays, the swimmer has a rolling start and the time does not count as a record. Nevertheless, Lezak’s split was the fastest split in history by about 0.5 seconds. For those of you who are familiar with or swam in 25 yard pools in high school or college, Lezak’s 100 meter split converts to a :39.75 for 100 yards!!! Phelps did not swim this event.

****Ian Crocker (4th at Olympics) is the current world record holder at 50.40 seconds. Crocker set that record a bit over 3 years ago. This was the only event in which Phelps did not set a world record.

So, what do you think?

Answer 1

Phelps all the way!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Phelps ofcourse.

Answer 3

Phelps

Answer 4

Phelps is better. Spitz depended more upon his relays to get golds, where as Phelps did more individual events. Spitz had to rely more on his team mates to get him through, where Phelps only had to do this twice. Also, just compare the times. Phelps is obviously faster than Spitz was. The only question is, who is the better athlete for his time? I still believe Phelps is, but thats where the real question lies.

Answer 5

Phelps is the best out of everyone and he totally beats Spitz

Answer 6

spitz did a great job because he was the last one up on the swimming team and really did the best he could and they all won <3

but come one, phelps is just sooo awesome, he's the best of the best yet so modest about it...winning 6 (i think) gold medals...and yet he's still so nice about it and says he couldnt have done it without his teamates <3 he's my new role model....PHELPS RULES <3

Answer 7

I'm going to have to say Phelps.

Answer 8

Well, I would have to say Phelps. But, Phelps and Spitz were equally good at their own time. I mean, trainings and record times have gotten better through out the years.

Other than that, I would still say Phelps because Phelps won 8 golds in a single Olympics where else Mark Spitz won 7.