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Tonight, former Olympic swimmer Mark Spitz sits down with Piers Morgan to talk health, success and Michael Phelps. At the 1972 Munich Olympics Spitz won seven gold medals- the most number of medals won in one Olympic. It's a record that took over three decades to break but in 2008, Michael Phelps cruised by Spitz, scooping up eight gold medals.
Morgan asks Spitz the question on everybody’s mind – “You and Michael Phelps ... right now, at the peak of both your powers, who’d win?”
Spitz says in the past he's always answered honestly:
“If I was great because I knew everything I needed to know to beat that other person, then I would have to know everything that would be necessary to beat Michael. And likewise, he would have to know everything to beat me. So the answer is we’d have to tie."
However Spitz follows up with a slightly more coy response based on the fact that he beat his opponents by a larger margin then Michael Phelps had:
“Well, I’d like to say, you know, selfishly, maybe I might beat him.”
While Spitz and Phelps aren't friends he did offer Phelps some advice when he qualified for the Olympic Games for Athens:
“What I said to him was, 'I know you can do this,'" Spitz explains. "'Just stop listening to the press. But give them all the time they want.'"
Tune in this evening at 9pm for the full interview as Spitz talks about winning big and staying healthy.
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OMG! I was so in love with this man! I had Mark Spitz all over my walls~! he is still gorgeous! How amusing to look back...
I worked with Mark Spitz back in 1972 I was modelling swimwear in Sydney he was so shy there were 4 other models and he was the He was very awkward and did not have a word to say . I was 18 then and we had to go down this run way together. He looks great say hi to him! Moira
No one at Indiana University will ever forget Mark Spitz's soaring ego, on full display during his interview with Piers. He had a legendary coach at IU whom he regularly diminished, and rarely acknowledged his formative training there. I'll never forget his introduction during half time at a football game soon after he won his medals, and like 3 people applauded; well deserved.
Dear Mr. Spitz
Greetings and Salutations:
I saw your interview with Piers Morgan on CNN.
I really enjoyed seeing you on tv and listening to the informative questions that were posed by the moderator.
I was only nine years old in 1972 and to see you on tv in Munich, Germany was a very exciting time, not only for me, but, also for the whole country at that time.
You are still as graceful now, as you were then.
Thank you for giving the country something great to aspire to and for showing us what hard work and perservearance can do.
Respectfully:
Darrell Sears
Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps are both incredible Olympic swimmers.
I do believe that the training for phelps seems more intensive and trainers know more about how to reach a peak potential.
(in body and mind)
It remains to be seen who is the better athlete but just enjoy the experience is my advice And us spectators appreciate all the efforts of any good athlete. BJ
Excellant interview!
last night, i finished reading richard foster's biography, *mark spitz: the extraordinary life of an olympic champion.* i loved spitz since i first saw him in munich in 1972 and followed his career throughout the years. it took me 40 years to discover that he is a republican. i am devastated.
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Love Mark Spitz. He is one class act and goreous. Has Mark and Michael ever met? Just wondering.