Mark Spitz

Full Name: Mark Andrew Spitz

Nationality: United States of America

Born: February 10, 1950

Birthplace: Modesto, California

Specialties: Freestyle, Butterfly

Height: 6'1"

Major Achievements/Accomplishments:

- Won seven gold medals (setting a world record for all seven events) at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, a feat only surpassed by Michael Phelps in 2008

- Set a total of 33 World Records throughout his career

- Was ranked as the most successful athlete at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games

- He was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1972.

- Between 1968 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic golds plus a silver and a bronze, five Pan American golds, 31 US Amateur Athletic Union titles and eight US National Collegiate Athletic Association titles.

Interesting Facts: Spitz grew his mustache for four months and swam with it unshaved at the Munich Olympic Games. He also swam all of his events without the use of goggles.

Personal Comments: Mark Spitz is an absolute legend in the sport of swimming. He retired at age 22, leaving his swimming career very short. In this short amount of time, however, he was able to become the most successful swimmer of all time, and arguably become the most successful Olympic athlete of all time until Michael Phelps' performance in 2008.