Mark Spitz

Mark Andrew Spitz (born February 10, 1950) is a Jewish American swimmer. He was born in California, to Arnold and Lenore Spitz. He holds the record for most gold medals won in a single Olympics (seven), which he set at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany (his 7th was won on September 4).

Related Topics:
February 10 - 1950 - Jewish - American - Swimmer - California - Olympics - 1972 Summer Olympics - Munich - Germany - September 4

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In 1968, Mark Spitz participated in his first Olympic Games in Mexico City. Together with his teammates, Spitz won two titles: the 4 x 100 m freestyle and the 4 x 200 m freestyle relays. In addition, Spitz finished second in the 100 m butterfly and third in the 100 m freestyle. In spite of the successes, Spitz was disappointed, as he had announced a bid for five gold medals, after he had accomplished that feat at the 1967 Pan American Games.

Related Topics:
1968 - First Olympic Games - Mexico City - Freestyle - Butterfly - 1967 - Pan American Games

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Four years later, in Munich, Spitz came back. In West Germany, he won seven Olympic gold medals, a feat yet unequalled by any other Olympic athlete. Even more remarkably, Spitz set a new world record in each of the seven events (the 100 m freestyle, 200 m freestyle, 100 m butterfly, 200 m butterfly, 4 x 100 m freestyle, 4 x 200 m freestyle and the 4 x 100 m medley).

Related Topics:
Munich - West Germany - Yet - Medley

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Still only aged 22, Spitz retired from swimming after the Munich Games. However, at age 41, Spitz attempted to make a comeback in an attempt to qualify for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, after film maker Bud Greenspan had offered to pay him a million dollars if he succeeded in qualifying. Filmed by Greenspan's cameras, Spitz failed to beat the qualifying limit.

Related Topics:
1992 Barcelona Olympics - Bud Greenspan

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Personal bests:

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100 m freestyle: 51,22 s (1972, WR)

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200 m freestyle: 1:52,78 s ( 1972, WR)

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100 m butterfly: 54,27 s ( 1972, WR)

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200 m butterfly: 2:00,70 s (1972, WR)

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relays:

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4 × 100 m freestyle: 3:26,42 s (1972, WR)

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4 × 200 m freestyle: 7:35,78 s (1972, WR)

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4 × 100 m medley: 3:48,16 s (1972,WR)

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Spitz attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Related Topics:
Indiana University - Bloomington, Indiana

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