Anybody seen Mark Spitz?
By now, you've probably all heard the strange saga of Olympic legend Mark Spitz, who complained bitterly to the Agence France-Presse that he was not invited to take part in the coronation of Michael Phelps at the Beijing Games.
"They voted me one of the top five Olympians in all time," Spitz said. "Some of them are dead. But they invited the other ones to go to the Olympics, but not me. Yes, I am a bit upset about it."
Can't blame him for that, but I also can't help but think there's more to this story than showed up in the AFP account. What, the IOC was weighing possible candidates to hang the gold medals around Phelps' neck and Spitz didn't finish in the top eight?
Don't think so. If this is truly some kind of oversight, you'd think something would happen in the next day or two to get Spitz into the act. Got to think we'll hear more about this as Phelps gets closer to breaking his record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics.
Three to go.
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Comments
I heard that porn-star look-a-like on ESPN radio being interviewed by Mike Greenberg a few weeks ago and he said he couldn't go to the Olympics because of business commitments he had. Probably standing in for Ron Jeremy in a couple of flicks.
Posted by: terpfan | August 13, 2008 7:40 AM
Terpfan, your Ron Jeremy comment was way off base!
Spitz looks more like Harry Reems.
Posted by: BigBill | August 13, 2008 10:15 AM
Spitz had a history of being one of the all-time jerks, with an ego as big as all outdoors. Just possible he ticked someone off along the way.
Posted by: jaybird | August 13, 2008 4:21 PM
BigBill--you're absolutely right, he's the spitting image. Probably a bad joke in there somewhere.
Posted by: terpfan | August 13, 2008 5:19 PM
Check out the picture on the right at this link. All that's missing is are the medals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reems
Posted by: terpfan | August 13, 2008 5:22 PM
I've been wondering the same thing myself--Where's Spitz. Here are three options:
1. Phelp's publicity people did not want Spitz stealing the spotlight from their Cash Cow, so they made sure Spitz didn't show up.
2. The Beijing people were worried Spitz might have an envious moment, dive in the pool to stop Phelps.
3. Rowdy Gaines couldn't get over his envy of Spitz, and blocked Spitz from making an appearance on NBC's coverage.
Posted by: Logiopath | August 13, 2008 9:24 PM