Mark Spitz - by Richard J Foster

Book Synopsis

Mark Spitz is arguably the most famous and successful Olympic athlete of all time because of his legendary performances at the 1972 Olympics, where he won seven gold medals while breaking seven world records. His amazing life story is told for the first time in the authorized biography Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion.

This exclusive account follows Spitz's roller-coaster career: age-group prodigy, four-medal "flop" at the 1968 Olympics, outstanding collegiate career at Indiana University, gold-medal haul in 1972, lucrative endorsements, and a brief and unsuccessful stint in entertainment.

And the meatier stories--the role his father played in his career, his often stormy relationship with coaches and teammates, his experiences as a Jewish athlete with anti-Semitism and the Munich massacre, his impact on the commercialization of swimming, his relationship with Michael Phelps, and others--have been largely unknown, ignored, barely touched upon, or distorted.

Mark Spitz: The Extraordinary Life of an Olympic Champion provides insights into Spitz's career, behind-the-scenes anecdotes about him and his competitors, and untold stories that shed light on his complicated personality and relationship with his father. Old and new fans alike will appreciate the depth and details of this swimming icon's story.

Review Quotes

"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. Spitz is perhaps the finest swimmer of all time, and his ongoing life is well recounted here. --"Library Journal"

"A marvelous look at a legendary athlete and a complex man." --Chuck Wielgus, executive director, USA Swimming

"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

"I have known Mark for 35 years. He is a true Olympic icon. We have traveled the world together. What a life he has led!" --Bruce Jenner, Olympic gold medalist, decathalon (1976)

"Mark Spitz is one of the most significant figures in the history of the Olympic Games and is a remarkable human being. His story is long overdue." --Peter Ueberroth, chairman, United States Olympic Committee

"Rich Foster does a magnificent job telling the true story of the greatest swimmer of all time." --Brent Rutemiller, publisher, "Swimming World Magazine"

"Rich Foster not only captures the magnificent story of Mark Spitz's career, he also masterfully describes the politics and intrigue of the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games." --Bob Seagren, Olympic gold medalist, pole vault (1968), and Olympic silver medalist, pole vault (1972)

"This is a riveting, inspiring look at one of the most important American athletes in the history of sports." --Ross Wales, former honorary secretary, FINA, and Olympic bronze medalist, 100-meter butterfly (1968)

"What is it that makes a champion? Why is it that after almost 40 years, Mark Spitz is still the most famous swimmer in the world? Like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, Mark Spitz excelled when the pressure was the greatest and the spotlight the brightest. In this remarkable biography, Rich Foster explores and explains the complexities of the personality and makeup of the man who accomplished the greatest athletic achievement in the history of the Olympic Games."-Bruce Wigo, CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame

About the Author

Richard J. Foster is the current president of United States Aquatic Sports, the umbrella organization that represents all U.S. aquatic sports (swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming, and diving) in the international governing body. He has also served as a board member of the United States Olympic Committee and as president of USA Water Polo for twelve years. A practicing attorney, Foster specializes in sports law and has represented numerous Olympic and professional athletes. He also teaches a graduate-level sports law course at Long Beach State University. He lives in Long Beach, California.