Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion
Documenting his legendary performances at the 1972 Olympics—winning seven gold medals while breaking seven world records—this is the first biography to chronicle the amazing life story of renowned athlete Mark Spitz. Every aspect of his roller-coaster career is recorded, from an age-group prodigy and four-medal "flop" at the 1968 Olympics to an outstanding collegiate career at Indiana University and a gold-medal haul in 1972 followed by lucrative...
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Documenting his legendary performances at the 1972 Olympics—winning seven gold medals while breaking seven world records—this is the first biography to chronicle the amazing life story of renowned athlete Mark Spitz. Every aspect of his roller-coaster career is recorded, from an age-group prodigy and four-medal "flop" at the 1968 Olympics to an outstanding collegiate career at Indiana University and a gold-medal haul in 1972 followed by lucrative endorsements and an unsuccessful stint in entertainment. More personal stories are included such as the role Spitz's father played in his career, stormy relationships with coaches and teammates, experiences as a Jewish athlete amidst anti-Semitism and the Munich massacre, and his impact on the commercialization of swimming. Career insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Spitz and his competitors shed light on his complicated personality and round out the details of this swimming icon's story for old and new fans alike. Mark Schubert Fans of Mark Spitz and swimming in general will love this thorough look at the personal and professional lives of this great Olympian. (Mark Schubert, head Olympic coach, USA Swimming)
Acknowledgments 5Foreword Mark Spitz 7Introduction Keith Jackson 9A Favorite Color Emerges 11Swimming for Sherm 25The Move to Santa Clara 33The 1968 Swim Camp Cabal 45Four-Medal "Flop" in Mexico City 67Finding Doc 87The NCAA Years and the Spitz-Russell Rematch 97Change for the Better 117Pressure at the 1972 Trials 131On the Road to Redemption 145What If? 159Hump Day 181History is Made 191"They're All Gone" 201{dollar}ign{dollar} of the Time{dollar} 215Back in the Water 229Presidents, Kings, and Queens 243Similar Goals, Different Journeys 255Epilogue-Where Are They Now? 271Mark Spitz's World Records 281Index 283
\ Mark SchubertFans of Mark Spitz and swimming in general will love this thorough look at the personal and professional lives of this great Olympian. (Mark Schubert, head Olympic coach, USA Swimming)\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalIt's been 36 years since Mark Spitz won a record seven gold medals in swimming during the tragic 1972 Munich Olympics, and he remains a giant figure in the history of both competitive swimming and the Olympics. The iconic photograph of Spitz wearing his swimsuit and all seven medals was the best-selling poster of a sports figure until the late 1970s. Foster, the current president of United States Aquatic Sports and a former member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, takes the reader back to Spitz's turbulent youth, when he was seen by many as an arrogant jerk. Foster's balanced and meticulous retelling of Spitz's challenges, struggles, and triumphs is informed by extensive interviews with Spitz as well as his family, coaches, and competitors. Furthermore, the fine points of swim racing are discussed here, at times in overwhelming detail. While swimming does not generally garner the interest that other sports do, Spitz is perhaps the finest swimmer of all time, and his ongoing life is well recounted here. Recommended for collections focused on swimming or the Olympics.\ —John Maxymuk\ \ \
