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Mark Spitz Spitz in July 2008. Personal information Full name: Mark Andrew Spitz Nickname(s): Mark The Shark Nationality: United States Stroke(s): freestyle, butterfly College team: Indiana Hoosiers (1968-1972) Date of birth: February 10, 1950 (1950-02-10) (age 58) Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) [show] Medal record Men’s swimming Competitor for United States Olympic Games Gold 1972 Munich 100 m butterfly Gold 1972 Munich 100 m freestyle Gold 1972 Munich 200 m butterfly Gold 1972 Munich 200 m freestyle Gold 1972 Munich 4x100 m freestyle relay Gold 1972 Munich 4x100 m medley relay Gold 1972 Munich 4x200 m freestyle relay Gold 1968 Mexico City 4x100 m freestyle relay Gold 1968 Mexico City 4x200 m freestyle relay Silver 1968 Mexico City 100 m butterfly Bronze 1968 Mexico City 100 m freestyle Pan American Games Gold 1967 Winnipeg Swimming Gold 1967 Winnipeg Swimming Gold 1967 Winnipeg Swimming Gold 1967 Winnipeg Swimming Gold 1967 Winnipeg Swimming Maccabiah Games Gold 1965 Israel Swimming Gold 1965 Israel Swimming Gold 1965 Israel Swimming Gold 1965 Israel Swimming Gold 1969 Israel Swimming Gold 1969 Israel Swimming Gold 1969 Israel Swimming Gold 1969 Israel Swimming Gold 1969 Israel Swimming Gold 1969 Israel Swimming Mark Andrew Spitz (born February 10, 1950) is a retired American swimmer, best known for winning seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, an achievement surpassed only when Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Olympics. Between 1968 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic gold medals, one silver, and one bronze; five Pan American golds; 31 National U.S. Amateur Athletic Union titles; and eight U.S. National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. During those years, he set 33 world records.[1] He was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1972. Contents [hide] 1 Swimming career 1.1 Maccabiah Games 1.2 Pan American Games 1.3 1968 Olympics 1.4 College training 1.5 1972 Olympics 1.6 Retirement 1.7 1992 Olympics 2 Hall of Fame 3 Film and television career 3.1 After swimming retirement 3.2 Critical praise 3.3 Commercials 4 Cartoon character 5 Personal life 5.1 Family life 5.2 Schooling 5.3 On-going dentistry error 5.4 Post-Swimming Career 5.5 Hobbies 5.6 Iconic mustache during Olympics 5.7 Health issues 6 Olympic controversies 6.1 1972 medal podium incident 6.2 Issues with 2008 Summer Olympics 6.3 Views on drug testing 7 Records and Awards 8 References 9 See also 10 External links // Swimming career Spitz was born in Modesto, California, the first of three children[2] of Arnold and Lenore Smith Spitz, a Jewish family.[3] When he was two years old, Spitz's family moved to Hawaii. Spitz swam at Waikiki Beach every day. "You should have seen that little boy dash into the ocean. He'd run like he was trying to commit suicide." Lenore Spitz told a reporter for TIME (April 12, 1968).[2] At age six his family returned to Sacramento, California, and he began to compete at his local swim club. At age nine,
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