Mark Spitz The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion

by Foster, Richard J; Spitz, Mark; Jackson, Keith

• ISBN13: 9781595800398
• ISBN10: 1595800395
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-07-01
• Publisher: Santa Monica Press

Summary

Documenting his legendary performances at the 1972 Olympicswinning seven gold medals while breaking seven world recordsthis 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. Personal stories are also 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.

Author Biography

Richard J. Foster is the current president of United States Aquatic Sports and USA Water Polo. He serves on the board of the United States Olympic Committee and currently teaches a graduate-level sports law course at Long Beach State University. He lives in Long Beach, California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 5
Foreword	p. 7
Introduction	p. 9
A Favorite Color Emerges	p. 11
Swimming for Sherm	p. 25
The Move to Santa Clara	p. 33
The 1968 Swim Camp Cabal	p. 45
Four-Medal "Flop" in Mexico City	p. 67
Finding Doc	p. 87
The NCAA Years and the Spitz-Russell Rematch	p. 97
Change for the Better	p. 117
Pressure at the 1972 Trials	p. 131
On the Road to Redemption	p. 145
What If?	p. 159
Hump Day	p. 181
History is Made	p. 191
"They're All Gone"	p. 201
$ign$ of the Time$	p. 215
Back in the Water	p. 229
Presidents, Kings, and Queens	p. 243
Similar Goals, Different Journeys	p. 255
Epilogue-Where Are They Now?	p. 271
Mark Spitz's World Records	p. 281
Index	p. 283
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