Spitz, Mark (1950-…), ranks among the greatest swimmers of all time. Spitz won seven gold medals competing for the United States at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany (then West Germany). He won the individual 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly races. He also swam the anchor leg for the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle relay teams and swam the butterfly leg for the 400-meter medley relay team. He set world records in the four individual races. Each relay team also set a world record.
Mark Andrew Spitz was born on Feb. 10, 1950, in Modesto, California. He won his first major championships in 1966, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) 100-yard butterfly. He won five gold medals at the 1967 Pan American Games, setting two world records. At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Spitz won two gold medals, a silver, and a bronze. He also won several collegiate championships while swimming for Indiana University from 1969 to 1972.
