Mark Spitz

2.1. Birth and Family

Mark Andrew Spitz was born on February 10, 1950, in Modesto, California. He was the eldest of three children born to Lenore Sylvia (née Smith) and Arnold Spitz. His family is Jewish, with his father's family originating from Hungary and his mother's family, originally surnamed Sklotkovick, from Russia.

2.2. Childhood and Education

When Spitz was two years old, his family relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he frequently swam at Waikiki beach. His mother, Lenore Spitz, once remarked to Time magazine in 1968, "You should have seen that little boy dash into the ocean. He'd run like he was trying to commit suicide." At the age of six, his family returned to Sacramento, California, and he began competing with his local swim club.

Spitz later attended Indiana University from 1969 to 1972, where he pursued a pre-dental curriculum and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Although he was accepted into dental school in the spring of 1972, the opportunities that arose after his Olympic success led him to pursue a career in television and public speaking instead. He officially graduated from Indiana University in 1972.

2.3. Early Swimming Career and Talent

At nine years old, Spitz began training at the Arden Hills Swim Club in Sacramento under coach Sherm Chavoor, who mentored seven Olympic medal winners, including Spitz. By the age of 10, he already held one world age-group record and 17 national records, showcasing his exceptional talent.

At 14, his family moved to Santa Clara, California, where he joined the Santa Clara Swim Club and was trained by coach George F. Haines. From 1964 to 1968, Spitz trained with Haines at SCSC and Santa Clara High School, where he held national high school records in every stroke and distance. In 1966, at 16, he won the 100-meter butterfly at the AAU national championships, marking the first of his 24 total AAU titles. The following year, Spitz made his mark on the world swimming stage by setting his first world record with a time of 4:10.60 in the 400-meter freestyle at a small meet in California.

3.1. Maccabiah and Pan American Games

Spitz made his international debut at the 1965 Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel. At just 15 years old and weighing 130 lb ^{(130 lb)}, he secured four gold medals in the 400-meter freestyle, 1500-meter freestyle, 400-meter individual medley, and 800-meter freestyle relay, earning him the title of the most outstanding athlete of the Games. He returned to Israel in 1969 after the Mexico City Olympics to compete again in the 1969 Maccabiah Games, where he won six gold medals and was once more recognized as the outstanding athlete.

In 1985, Spitz was honored with the task of lighting the torch to open the 1985 Maccabiah Games. He continued his involvement in 2005 as a member of the U.S. delegation at the 2005 Maccabiah Games, speaking at the opening ceremonies of the JCC Maccabiah Games in Richmond, Virginia.

Spitz also achieved significant success at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, where he won five gold medals. This record for the most gold medals at a single Pan American Games stood until 2007, when Brazilian swimmer Thiago Pereira won six golds at the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

3.2. 1968 Summer Olympics

Prior to the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Spitz was already the holder of ten world records. He confidently predicted he would win six gold medals at the Games. However, his performance fell short of his ambitious forecast. He secured only two team gold medals: the 4×100-meter freestyle relay with a time of 3:31.70, and the 4×200-meter freestyle relay with a time of 7:52.33.

In individual events, Spitz finished second to fellow American Doug Russell in the 100-meter butterfly, losing by half a second despite holding the world record and having defeated Russell in their previous ten encounters that year. He also earned a bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle with a time of 53.00 seconds. As a result of his loss to Russell, Spitz was not selected to swim in the 4×100-meter medley relay, which subsequently contributed to Russell earning his second gold medal and the U.S. team setting another world record.

3.3. College Training and NCAA Achievements

Disappointed by his performance at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Spitz made a pivotal decision in January 1969 to attend Indiana University. There, he trained under legendary swimming coach Doc Counsilman, who had also been his Olympic coach in Mexico City. Spitz later described his choice of Indiana and Counsilman as "the biggest decision of my life (and) the best."

During his time at Indiana University, Spitz dominated collegiate swimming, winning eight individual NCAA titles. His exceptional amateur athletic prowess was recognized in 1971 when he received the James E. Sullivan Award, presented to the top amateur athlete in the United States. Additionally, Spitz set several world records during the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials held in Chicago's Portage Park in 1972, further demonstrating his readiness for the upcoming Olympics. During his college career, his teammates nicknamed him "Mark the Shark."

3.4. 1972 Summer Olympics

At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Spitz aimed to achieve his earlier prediction of winning six gold medals. He surpassed his own expectations, securing an unprecedented seven Olympic gold medals. Furthermore, Spitz established a new world record in each of the seven events he competed in:

• 100-meter freestyle: 51.22 seconds
• 200-meter freestyle: 1:52.78
• 100-meter butterfly: 54.27 seconds
• 200-meter butterfly: 2:00.70
• 4×100-meter freestyle relay: 3:26.42
• 4×200-meter freestyle relay: 7:35.78
• 4×100-meter medley relay: 3:48.16

Spitz was initially hesitant to swim the 100-meter freestyle, fearing he might not win the gold medal. Minutes before the race, he confided to ABC's Donna de Varona, "I know I say I don't want to swim before every event, but this time I'm serious. If I swim six and win six, I'll be a hero. If I swim seven and win six, I'll be a failure." Despite his apprehension, Spitz won the race by half a stroke, setting a new world record.

Spitz is one of only seven Olympians to have won nine or more career gold medals, a group that includes Larisa Latynina, Paavo Nurmi, Carl Lewis, Katie Ledecky, and Caeleb Dressel, who also have nine, while Michael Phelps holds the record with 23. Spitz's record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics remained unbroken until Phelps achieved eight golds at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Following the completion of his events, Spitz departed Munich early due to the Munich Massacre, where eleven Israeli athletes were taken hostage and subsequently murdered by Palestinian terrorists. As a Jewish athlete, there was significant concern among Olympic authorities that Spitz could become a target, leading to his escort to London for his safety, reportedly by U.S. Marines stationed in West Germany.

3.5. Retirement and Comeback Attempts

Following his historic performance at the Munich Olympics, Mark Spitz retired from competitive swimming at the young age of 22.

Despite his early retirement, Spitz remained a prominent figure in the sports world. In 1999, he was ranked No. 33 on ESPN SportsCentury 50 Greatest Athletes list, making him the only aquatic athlete to be included.

At age 41, Spitz attempted a comeback for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, motivated by an offer of 1.00 M USD from filmmaker Bud Greenspan if he successfully qualified. His comeback attempt garnered significant media attention, appearing on the cover of Parade and being reported in Sports Illustrated and Esquire. However, despite his efforts, Spitz was two seconds slower than the Olympic standard in the 50-meter butterfly and failed to qualify for the team.

4.1. Broadcasting and Entertainment Career

Upon his return to the United States after the 1972 Olympics, Spitz was managed by the William Morris Agency, which aimed to launch his career in show business while his athletic achievements were still fresh in the public's mind. A poster of Spitz in his swimsuit adorned with his gold medals led ESPN to retrospectively dub him "the hottest pin-up since Betty Grable."

Spitz made his television debut on October 5, 1972, appearing as himself in a skit as a dentist on a Bob Hope special. In 1973-74, he made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. He also had a brief role in the TV drama Emergency!, portraying Pete Barlow, whose wife (played by Spitz's wife, Suzy) is accidentally shot. In September 1973, he appeared on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of California Governor Ronald Reagan.

Spitz began working for ABC Sports in 1976, contributing to numerous sports presentations, including coverage of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1985, he appeared as a TV announcer in Challenge of a Lifetime. Although he continued broadcasting for some time, he eventually became less visible as a public figure, except for occasional commentary on swimming events, such as the 2004 Summer Olympics. Instead, he shifted his focus to his real estate company in Beverly Hills and personal hobbies like sailing.

In 2006, Spitz narrated Freedom's Fury, a Hungarian documentary chronicling the Olympic water polo team's Blood in the Water match against the Soviet Union during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. The film, executive produced by Quentin Tarantino and Lucy Liu, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

4.2. Business and Corporate Activities

Following his remarkable Olympic success, Spitz quickly secured several lucrative corporate endorsement contracts, earning approximately 7.00 M USD within a two-year period. In 2007, he noted that 1.00 M USD in 1972 would be equivalent to over 10.00 M USD today, acknowledging his financial success. He described himself as a "pioneer" in capitalizing on Olympic opportunities, attributing success to timing, hype, the economy, and physical appearance.

Spitz transitioned into various entrepreneurial endeavors, including establishing a real estate company. His official website lists him as a self-employed corporate spokesperson and motivational speaker. He also ventured into stockbroking in 2002 and later into private equity. He has explored the "water business," engaging in negotiations to build a water-bottling facility on land he co-owns. Spitz has collaborated on entrepreneurial projects with former NBA player Rick Barry and travels globally, delivering around 25 lectures annually. His biography, The Extraordinary Life of An Olympic Champion by Richard J. Foster, was published in July 2008. In July 2012, Spitz publicly endorsed Istanbul's bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics, though the Games were ultimately awarded to Tokyo. In August 2016, he was part of the U.S. government delegation, led by Secretary of State John Kerry, sent to the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

4.3. Commercial Appearances

Mark Spitz has appeared in numerous advertising campaigns and endorsements throughout his post-swimming career. He was featured in an advertisement for the California Milk Advisory Board, with a print ad famously captioned, "I always drink it--is something I like to do. I want to be loved by the mothers."

In 1974, he starred in several commercials for Schick razors. In 1998, he appeared alongside Evel Knievel in a television commercial for PlayStation. He was also mentioned in Clive Cussler's 1982 novel Pacific Vortex!, the origin story of Dirk Pitt. In 2004, Spitz appeared in a TV commercial for Sprint PCS. In November 2007, he made a cameo appearance in Amanda Beard's first television commercial for GoDaddy, titled "Shock," which featured her own seven Olympic medals. That same year, he appeared in an infomercial for the "Orbitrek Elite" fitness workout. In 2012, Spitz endorsed Ageless Male, a testosterone supplement. In 2019, he pitched a personal EKG device by KardiaMobile in a commercial. In 2022, Spitz endorsed the health supplement Relief Factor. In 2012, Spitz and other former U.S. Olympic athletes filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics for allegedly using their personal information without permission on Facebook.

5.1. Family Life and Marriage

Upon his return from the 1972 Olympics, Mark Spitz began dating Suzy Weiner, a UCLA theater student and part-time model, who was also the daughter of one of his father's business acquaintances. Less than a year after his historic performance in Munich, they were married on May 6, 1973, in a traditional Jewish service held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The couple has two sons: Matthew, born in October 1981, and Justin, born in September 1991. Justin followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a member of the Stanford swim team. Mark Spitz and his wife currently reside in Los Angeles, California.

5.2. Health Issues

After his retirement from competitive swimming, Mark Spitz was diagnosed with acid reflux disease. His physician believes he may have suffered from the condition throughout his swimming career. Spitz recounted, "During my Olympic training, I attributed the symptoms [of acid reflux] to an overexposure to chlorine and eating too soon before and after swimming." He only suspected a more serious issue when the symptoms began to interfere with his broadcasting career during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, four years after he had retired.

Spitz has also openly discussed his experience with high cholesterol and other chronic health issues. He stated, "People don't believe that I have high cholesterol, but it's a fact. I take medication every day because my doctor told me that diet and exercise are not enough to keep my cholesterol down." He has served as a paid spokesperson for Medco Health Solutions, a pharmacy benefit management company, advocating for health awareness.

5.3. The Famous Moustache

During an era when many competitive swimmers, both male and female, shaved their body hair to reduce drag, Mark Spitz famously swam with a moustache. When asked about its origin, he stated, "I grew the moustache because a coach in college said I couldn't grow one." He saw it as a form of rebellion against the clean-cut image often imposed on athletes in college.

It took four months for Spitz to grow his moustache, and he became quite proud of it, considering it a "good-luck piece." He humorously recounted an interaction with a Russian coach who questioned if his moustache slowed him down. Spitz replied, "No, as a matter of fact, it deflects water away from my mouth, allows my rear end to rise and make me bullet-shaped in the water, and that's what had allowed me to swim so great."

Despite its iconic status, Spitz eventually shaved his moustache on February 14, 1988, after contemplating it for a year. His wife, Suzy, commented, "He looked great with it, don't get me wrong, but he looks so handsome without it." When asked about his decision, Spitz explained, "Well, one, I'm not swimming anymore; two, it started to turn gray; and three, my wife had never seen me, nor my family, without the moustache... I'm happy [without it]." He reiterated in a June 14, 2008 interview with KCRA host Mike TeSelle that he no longer maintained it because it had become "too gray."

6.1. Hall of Fame Inductions

Spitz has been inducted into several prestigious sports halls of fame, recognizing his significant contributions and achievements:

• International Swimming Hall of Fame (inducted 1977)
• International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (inducted 1979)
• United States Olympic Hall of Fame (inducted 1983)
• Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (inducted 1990)
• San Jose Sports Hall of Fame (inducted 2007)
• National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame (inducted 2007)
• Long Beach City College Hall of Fame (inducted 2007)
• Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame

6.2. Other Awards and Recognition

In addition to his Hall of Fame inductions, Spitz was named "World Swimmer of the Year" by Swimming World Magazine three times, in 1969, 1971, and 1972. In 1971, he was also awarded the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. In 1999, ESPN ranked him No. 33 on its "SportsCentury 50 Greatest Athletes" list, making him the only aquatic athlete to be included.

7.1. 1972 Medal Podium Incident

At the 1972 Munich Olympics, Spitz faced accusations of product placement during a medal ceremony. Following his victory in the 200-meter freestyle, Spitz arrived barefoot on the podium, carrying his Adidas shoes. He placed them down as the American national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," played, and then picked them up and waved to the crowd after the anthem concluded. Soviet officials interpreted this action as a deliberate product placement and lodged a complaint with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). When questioned by the IOC, Spitz explained that his gesture was innocent, stating that the shoes were old and he had not been paid for any endorsement. The IOC ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing.

7.2. Issues with 2008 Summer Olympics

Spitz publicly expressed his disappointment at not being invited to attend the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, particularly as Michael Phelps was poised to break his record of seven gold medals at a single Games. He stated, "I never got invited. You don't go to the Olympics just to say, I am going to go. Especially because of who I am. ... I am going to sit there and watch Michael Phelps break my record anonymously? That's almost demeaning to me. It is not almost-it is." He further noted that other Olympians ranked among the top five of all time were invited, but he was not, which he found "a bit upset about."

However, Spitz later clarified his statements. On August 14, 2008, he appeared on NBC's Today Show, explaining that a corporate sponsor had opted not to bring their U.S. contingent to China, leading to more work for him in the United States. He also emphasized his pride in Michael Phelps, stating, "It's about time that somebody else takes the throne. And I'm very happy for him. I really, truly am..." He reaffirmed his belief that "Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympic athlete ever" in an interview on Los Angeles KNBC-4's morning news show, Today in L.A. On August 15, 2008, during a live joint interview with Bob Costas on NBC, Spitz delivered an "epic" compliment to Phelps after his record-tying seventh gold medal, acknowledging Phelps as an inspiration to youngsters worldwide.

In 2015, Spitz allegedly claimed to have seen an email from Omega, the official timekeeper, suggesting that Phelps had lost the closely contested 100-meter butterfly final in 2008. He later stated that his quote had been "misconstrued."

7.3. Views on Drug Testing

Mark Spitz has been a consistent and vocal critic of the two primary swimming world bodies, FINA (now World Aquatics) and the IOC, regarding their efforts to combat performance-enhancing drugs in the sport. He has frequently expressed his belief that insufficient measures have been taken to monitor and ensure drug-free participation.

In 1998, he criticized FINA's attempts to eradicate drug abuse as "embarrassing," urging them to test for all known drugs. In September 1999, Spitz asserted that the IOC possessed the technology to test for a wide array of drugs but was refusing to do so due to protests from some IOC members. In a radio interview in Australia, Spitz was quoted as saying, "They don't want to test for everything because there's tremendous pressure from the television networks because they want the television to have athletic competitions with the world record holders there for the finals." He argued that television networks desire high ratings and commercial sales, which are jeopardized by drug scandals, creating a significant conflict of interest for the IOC, which benefits financially from these networks.

In August 2008, the Los Angeles Times reported that Spitz continued to voice his concerns about drug testing, stating that "the IOC has sponsors who demand a good show. Television pays the IOC for the rights to that good show, and its sponsors want that too. Drug news and drug distractions are not a good show. People are not going to tune in to see athletes have their medals taken away from them." His comments underscore his critical perspective on the commercial influences he believes undermine the integrity of anti-doping efforts in international sports.