Mark Spitz

Mark Spitz is one of the world's most accomplished athletes. He is one of the most famous swimmers around. Mark was great from the time he started swimming in California to his famous performance in Munich, Germany. He represents his father’s quote “Swimming isn’t everything, winning is.” Mark did indeed win a lot.

Mark was born February 10, 1950. When he was two years old, he moved from California to Hawaii where his father taught him to swim. Four years at Hawaii was enough, so the Spitz family moved back to California. When he was ten, he was the best swimmer for his age-group in the world. At ten, Mark held 17 national age-group records, far more than anyone else. At 14, his father decided to move to Santa Clara to train with the famous coach George Haines. By the time he was 18, he had 24 AAU titles, five gold medals at the Pan-American games and 10 world records. He was definitely ready for the 1968 Olympics.

Mark came to Mexico City cocky and boasting that he would get 5 gold medals. The only two gold medals he got were not individual events but two relays. In the two individual events he competed in, he received a silver and bronze. This was still a great accomplishment but not enough to satisfy Mark. Mark trained harder than ever at the University of Indiana. Being a pre-dental student did not distract him from his unthinkable idea of 6 gold’s at the next Olympics. From 1968 to 1972, Mark gained 8 NCAA titles. In 1969, 1971, and 1972, he was named best swimmer in the world. Finally the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany came. In his first event the 200-meter butterfly, he finished first with flying colors. He beat his teammate in the 200-meter freestyle for another gold. He won his favorite event, the 100-meter butterfly, in 54.27 seconds. Wow, that is fast. In his final individual event, the 100-meter freestyle, he yet again beat his teammate and got his gold. He also received 3 relay gold medals in the 400-meter freestyle relay, the 800-meter freestyle relay and the 400-meter medley relay. Those events brought the total gold medals to seven, more than anyone else before in any event in any Olympics.

On September 4, at 4:30 AM, Palestinian terrorists broke into an athletes’ compound, killing two Israelis and taking nine hostages who would later die in a rescue mission. Mark, who was sleeping nearby, was Jewish which made the situation dangerous. Mark left the 1972 Olympics before the closing ceremonies.

Mark Spitz is a hero in many ways. He shows you that if you try hard enough, you can do anything. From his early days to his triumph, Mark was one of the best swimmers to walk this earth. No one has measured up to his greatness and perseverance. Although the 1972 Olympics ended in a tragedy, it will always be remembered for Mark Spitz’s record-breaking performance.