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Mark Spitz
- Has won a total of 11 Olympic medals, the most by any U.S. athlete
- At the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, became the first athlete to win seven gold medals in one Olympiad, setting a new world record in all seven events
- Won four medals at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, including two gold
- Inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1983 and the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977
- Began swimming at two years old while living in Hawaii
- By age 10, Spitz held 17 national age-group records and one world record; he was named the world's best 10-and-under swimmer
- Won five gold medals at age 17 at the 1967 Pan-American games in Winnipeg
- Attended Indiana University as a pre-dental student, where he trained under legendary swim coach Doc Counsilman
- Won the 1971 Sullivan Award as the country's top amateur athlete and was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1969, 1971 and 1972
- Retired from swimming after the Munich Games at age 22
- Became the spokesperson for the Schick Company, the California Milk Advisory Board, adidas, Speedo and many other companies
- Married Suzy Weiner, a UCLA theater student and part-time model, less than a year after Munich
- Enjoys sailing, traveling and promotional work
- Has two sons, Matthew (b. 1981) and Justin (b. 1991)
- Inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1979
- In 2005, was chosen to be the flag bearer for the U.S. Delegation to the 17th Maccabiah Games
"There's nothing better in the world, when you're trying to be the best in the world, than to actually say, 'I am the world record holder. I am the best in the world.'" - Mark Spitz on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series
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Height: 6-1
Born: Feb. 10, 1950
Hometown: Modesto, Calif.
Resides: Los Angeles, Calif.
Sport: Swimming
Event: 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m, butterfly, 200m butterfly
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