Mark Spitz Trivia

Trivia

Trivia

Filmography

Snapshot

DOB
10 February 1950, Modesto, California, USA

Height
6' 1"

Links

Mark Spitz

Trivia

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.
Sons: Matthew (b. 1981) and Justin (b. 1991)
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.
After he won the 200m free-style in the 1972 (Munich) Olympics, he celebrated by swinging his sneakers in front of the cameras. He had to explain to the organizing comitee that he was just euphoric, not doing publicity.
In the 1967 Pan-American Games (Winnipeg), he won 5 gold medals.
Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, 1983 (charter member).
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.
Idol of Australian freestyle swimmer and 9-time Olympic champion, Ian Thorpe.
Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977.
Inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1979.
Won the 1971 Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the USA.