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

It's hard to imagine that in the 36 years since the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Mark Spitz has not put his life into words. That's partly what makes this in-depth look at the swimmer so intriguing. Foster, himself a former U.S. Olympic Committee member, tells of Spitz's humble beginnings, how a Jewish kid of first-generation Americans (his father was raised on a California chicken farm) got his first taste of championship swimming at the local YMCA and how his early development came under the tutelage of Sherm Chavoor, an ambitious businessman who also became a legendary swim coach. Many readers might not even realize that Spitz was in the 1968 Olympics, too, where he won "only" four medals. After that, he surprised all his coaches by going to college (and excelling) at Indiana University. With his education out of the way, Spitz became unstoppable on the world swimming stage, culminating in seven gold medals and seven world records in Munich. Still an amazing story, even after all these years, and a good choice for any sports collection, especially in an Olympic year. --Booklist

"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

"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

"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 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)

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

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

"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)

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.