This editorial was submitted by Robert Bernhardt, who is a junior swimmer at Uni High in Urbana, Illinois.
These days in light of Michael Phelps’ accomplishments, the phrase “greatest ever” is only rarely not seen within a few sentences of the name “Phelps.” Of course it makes sense that way, considering that man’s trophy cases, which are likely consuming an obscenely large part of Mr. Phelps’ abode. Twenty-two Olympic medals, eighteen gold, eight gold medals at one Olympic Games and dozens of world records, world titles and gold medals at other international competitions. He’s treated like he’s by far and away best ever, which makes sense, seeing as he was not only the first person to win eight Olympic gold medals, he was the first to win seven. Wait a minute…
Now that I think about it there was a guy who did that. A fellow named Spitz who was, until just six years ago, held that mantle of the greatest swimmer of all time. How quickly things change. Once the new hero took hold, the old one was forgotten about and shunted away. Of course Phelps did exceed Spitz, mathematical tests show again and again that eight is larger than seven, even when gold medals are in the mix. But Mark Spitz is by no means out of the conversation for the Greatest of All-Time.
People forget how good Spitz was. Phelps was the second man to hold world records in five different individual events. Spitz was the first. It’s a pity he didn’t swim the individual medley races in international competition like Phelps did to great success, because he set a short course yards American record in the 200 IM during high school, among other records he set before hitting adulthood. Seeing as like Phelps, he held world records in two out of the four strokes, it seems to be likely that this was not just a fluke or “easy” record, but a testament to Spitz’s unrealized all-around potential.
In fact in terms of world records, Spitz might be even more impressive than Phelps. At the end of his career, Spitz held world records in four different individual events. After Phelps’ retirement in 2012 he held “only” three official world records. Yet if non-textile times from 2008 and 2009 are excluded, Phelps held only one textile world record, considered of course by many to be the true record. How can Phelps be so far beyond the level of Spitz when even four years later Spitz still held two world records? How could Phelps, who lost his record in the 200 IM to a mortal enemy in 2011 (in a head to head showdown, no less) and never, never, surpassed Ian Crocker’s standard in the 100 butterfly while not wearing a piece of plastic, be considered head and shoulders better than a man who held four world records by 1971, then broke them again by large margins in 1972, retiring unbeaten and untied at the final world stage?
For the most part Spitz’ accomplishments end there, but the speculation about his talents can go on and on. Depending on who you ask he could have likely made an Olympic final in almost every event if he was given the chance. The 50m freestyle event was not introduced to the Olympics until 1988, where it was won by American legend Matt Biondi. The world record was not recorded until 1976. Mark Spitz won the shortest race in the pool at the time, the 100 freestyle. He also won the second quickest race, the 100 butterfly. In NCAA and high school swimming he was a perennial performer in 50 yard events. The 1972 season witnessed Spitz amending the record books nine time in individual events. Had the 50 been in the 1972 Olympics, could seven gold medals could have become eight, all eight in world record time? Impossible to tell for sure, but an entertaining possibility we must not entirely rule out if we wish to appreciate Spitz’ achievements.
Nor can we rule out Spitz’ performances in longer events. After all the first world record he set was in the 400 free as a teenager, and broke it twice more, trading records with other swimmers of the day. His last WR in the event came in 1968 at an insignificant meet a month before the Olympic trials in a time that actually was faster than the Olympic gold medal winner’s time. Any speculation about Spitz’s talents are most firmly based in the 400 freestyle, an event he likely could have won in the Olympics had he put his attention to it. Fans and speculators have also tossed around allegations about the 1500m freestyle. Purportedly also as a teenager Spitz came within a few seconds of breaking that WR too. Some have gone as far as to claim the record was broken in unofficial competitions or even practice. Could Spitz have been close to holding every freestyle WR, a feat never done by men since the time of World War One, and one that will surely never be repeated in the modern swimming world?
His backstroke was also an asset to his capabilities. He is rumored to have beaten the American backstroke specialists in the 100 backstroke at Olympic training camp in 1972. Those backstroke swimmers went on to win four medals in backstroke events at the Olympics that year. Considering his range, the 200 backstroke could also have been a legitimate medal opportunity for him, had the schedule been feasible. Whether he could have beaten the most successful backstroke swimmer in history, Roland Matthes, who swept the backstroke events in both 1968 and 1972 is questionable. However the possibility of competing for a medal in a tight final is not.
The individual medley was one place where Phelps was known for dominance and it would seem Spitz should have been able to do it too. Spitz was legendary in butterfly and freestyle, and one of the best backstrokers in the world. Having set an American record for yards in high school, and then continuing to improve immensely in all of his events during college, it is undoubtedly sure that he would have had a shot at setting the national record in Olympic waters. It would certainly not be stretching the truth to think that Gunnar Larson, the 1972 champion in the 200 IM, ought to be thanking his lucky stars that Spitz chose not to develop that event in favor of the others.
For those who are counting, that’s a total of six additional theoretical medals. It would be perhaps more pragmatic to now start counting the events that we know Spitz couldn’t have medaled in, starting with breaststroke and ending perhaps with the 400 IM, which was dominated by Gary Hall Sr who at one point was more than 5 seconds faster than anyone else in the world. Incredible really, that one man should be among the best in the world in nine out of thirteen individual events contested today at the Olympic Games. How could we not consider this man to be one of the greatest?
Of course Phelps’ era was not one where moustaches were in style and world records traded like falling stocks, but one where swimsuits were tested by space agencies and wisps of hair on the back of a neck were shaved and re-shaved. Phelps swam faster times and set more world records and more American records in more events with arguably more competition and still win more medals. But we should remember that Phelps is not alone, that there is Phelps, then Spitz. Then there is everyone else.
I’m not an expert in swimming history or swimming; just a happy dilettante. And I am 5 months late to the conversation. That said, I feel fairly comfortable evaluating the rational basis of this argument as it is presented and declaring that it seems a bit odd. In particular:
1) You cannot fault someone for belonging to the era in which they were born. Would anyone really say, “It may seem like Abe Lincoln won the Civil War, but only because he had machine guns and hand grenades. Without them, there is no way he would have been able to go head-to-head with someone like General George Washington.” ??? Spitz competed against a world that was deeply imbalanced in its… Read more »
There are many great swimmers. From my era I would nominate Don Schollander. Had the Tokyo Olympics offered a “full” program there is little doubt that he would have won six gold medals. Aside from his accomplishments, he was a great promoter of the sport with his unfailing politeness and his ability to inspire and connect with younger swimmers.
“IF” is the middle word of LIFE. IF spitz this, IF spitz that. at the end of the day, spitz was the greatest swimmer of all time for more than 30 years. records were meant to be broken. now, after 30+ years, phelps IS the greatest swimmer or our time and all time, until someone exceeds his achievements.
there will be those comparisons with the women as well. right now it is missy’s and katie’s time. in the 1980’s it was tracy caulkins’ time.
comparing the athletes of different periods in history is ridiculous. we know so much more now, versus 30+ years ago, of course swimming should be faster.
let’s just appreciate what those before us have done… Read more »
The topic is interesting but the number of erroneous statements is off the charts. Let’s just start with Spitz. He DID have semi finals in the 100 fly and 100 free, not the 200’s. And I’m almost sure that Gould did not hold the IM record at the same time as the freestyle records, if at all. As for Spitz and Phelps, I think the are similar in talent and domination of their respective eras. However, Phelps was much more consistent in BIG meets over a much longer time frame.Spitz had a poor 68 Olympics and several national meets. Phelps almost always performed great at the biggest moments. I think Phelps was the touger racer in close races. I think… Read more »
“And I’m almost sure that Gould did not hold the IM record at the same time as the freestyle records, if at all.”
Gould broke the 200 IM WR in 2:23.07 to win 200 IM gold in Munich.
Bottom line is that both men are inspirational swimmers. Magically put them in the same pool at the same age with the same technical and training advantages and it’d be a helluva race. We can argue the outcome until the pool freezes over.
In my mind, what’s important is the impact they’ve had on the sport. Phelps has inspired a new generation of kids to take up a sport they might not have considered a few years ago. Some of those kids will be the champions of the future (and maybe one will be compared to Phelps for GOAT status someday).
Spitz did the same thing in his time. If you look at US Masters events such as the 3000/6000/1-Hour… Read more »
You are exactly right Chuck. I am also one of those swimmers from the Spitz era and my age group is stacked in masters swimming. I had the Spitz poster in my room and met him at the Philadelphia nationals in 1976. It was a great moment for me and I am also thankful to be a part of his legacy. It doesn’t really matter who the GOAT is. Everyone needs a hero.
I mean Mark Spitz was probably 20 or 21 when Hall Sr broke his butterfly record.
Well, Bashashoff was the only American wmanto win silver medals in the 100 to the 800 in a Olympics in two Olympics. In 1972 she won the silver in the 100 and 200 and in 1976 the 200, 400 and 800. Sliver is not as good as gold but its pretty good. Yes, Gould had the world records in all the Freestyles in 1971 but there were no East Germans except for 13 year old Ender in the 1972 Olympics. As for Mark Spitz we was 21 years old or so when Hall broke the world record a young man, he now is a 62 year old man when you hold something against a person for what they did in… Read more »
If we are playing the “ifs” “could have” game like what you are doing, then I could also say Gould could also have won more medals and WRs had she not retired so young.
Regardless of who you think is the greatest ever, Mark Spitz will go down as one of the most disliked swimmers in history. His ego and arrogance are unsurpassed. I recall a meet in 1970 where Gary Hall Sr. Broke the world record in the 200 meter butterfly… Everyone was congratulating him except Spitz (whose record was broken) who made it a point to say to Gary, “I will break the record again next week.” (which he actually did).
Actually Toby, I think it took Spitz a year to break Gary Hall’s record – but I heard a similar story about Spitz and Jerry Heidenreich