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Munich 1972: Swimming A super-talented and mega-confident 18-year-old Mark Spitz had set 10 world records by the time the 1968 Summer Olympics rolled around, and he boldly predicted he would take home six gold medals from Mexico City. Instead, those Games didn’t go as he envisioned. Spitz won just two gold medals, both in relay events, as well as a meager silver and bronze in individual events, falling far short of what he had talked about to the media.

Fast forward four years to Munich and the 1972 Summer Games, and a stronger, better (he was named World Swimmer of the Year in 1971), and quieter Spitz was more than ready. He had enjoyed a spectacular career at Indiana University, winning eight individual National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles.

At Munich, Spitz let his swimming strokes do the talking for him— and he crushed the field. Seven races yielded seven gold medals. Spitz set a world record in every single one of them.

The Summer Olympics: Greatest Moments

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