With full understanding of what you're saying and I do agree that his ego is a bit much, he should have been invited to Beijing and it would be fitting to have him award Phelps the medals he has earned. Then tell him to scram.

you are a b****

I was the Ali of swimming , I was the greatest and still am. MY records mean more to the world , they mean more to me, I'am the greatest.

I feel that Mark should have be included and been the one who would help with the commintary during swimming. The people that they have doing it sucks. The hole time that Michael is swimming all they do is talk about how he is possible going to back Mark's this and Mark's that but they don't show any shots of Mark winning his medals. We forget so easily. Hey Michael 20-30 years from now you may overlooked or forgotten just like Mark. The people who run our TV shows are all just USERS.

If I'm not mistaken as of 8:52 mountain savings time on 8/13/08 Mr. Mark Spitz is still the only person to hold 7 gold medals at one time in olympic games. Fly the man to China, honor him for his prior achievements and stop writing about junk. When's the last time you accomplished something so dramatic, have it stand for years and have someone else best it? Being a writer I doubt you would understand

So where is the rest of what Mark had said? Where is the part where he said he wanted to be there to present the gold to Phelps himself? Long before the Olympics started, I said it would be awesome if Mark were there to present the gold to Phelps as a passing of the torch so-to-speak. Then, this morning, I heard a statement from him saying he really hoped he could be the one to present the gold. I really wish people would stop paraphraising and then criticizing! I remember when Mark won those gold and it was awesome! When Casey Fitzrandolf was looking to break Eric Heiden's gold record, it would have been wonderful if Eric could have been there to present the gold to Casey, especially since they are both from the Madison WI area. These athletes respect each other and the fact that their records will fall someday, whether it be times or number of medals.

You need to get over it yourself and stop worrying about it! I don't see you there competing.

Well, if Mark Spitz truly said all that, then shame on him. Michael Phelps will probably not have to wait 20-30 year for someone to breeze past him with the seeming ease that he blew past Mark Spitz, as we are advancing all kinds of technology to improve everything from training techniques to swimwear to swimming pools. Hopefully Michael will be able to understand that his own incredible athletic feat is enough, and maybe he'll actually train his successor!!

I am very sorry that Spitz has hardly been mentioned by any of the sportscasters. Wow, back in 1972, they could not get enough of him. I guess it is the American way, we love a winner. As stated earlier, Michael wll be where Spitz is today 25 years from now.

I am very sorry that Spitz has hardly been mentioned by any of the sportscasters. Wow, back in 1972, they could not get enough of him. I guess it is the American way, we love a winner.
As stated earlier, Michael wll be where Spitz is today 25 years from now.

Here you go......

At least the Oklahoman got it all......

"The 58-year-old Spitz, who is now a stockbroker, said he would like to have presented the record-breaking gold medal to Phelps."

I think that it would have meant the world to Phelps to have Mark present him the gold. Mark may have paid his own way. All the Olympic commitee needed to do was credential him to get him in to the venue. He wasn't asking for a free ride....just the chance to honor the next generation of athletes.

I wish journalists would stop editing comments etc. to twist things around to make people appear far different than they are or to suit their own purposes.

I really think it's kind of sad that Mark was not invited to the olympics. Considering all the hoopla from the press mentioning his name every time Phelps name is uttered, he should not have been dissed!

Mark Spitz hasn't changed a bit over the years. He's always been hard to like because he's always been so transparently about himself. Re-read his comments. They're all self-serving: I want to present the medals. I was dominating. I could have won eight medals. He reminds me of ME. He has shown ... COURAGE ... "as" I did. He is dominating as I did. ME. ME. ME. ME. ME.

If Spitz had any class, he'd just show up as a spectator. That might demean the Olympic Committee because it would underscore their oversight, but it could never demean Mark Spitz. Only he can do that; and he's been as accomplished at it as he was at winning medals.

It's funny you care so much about Mark Spitz's ego. I'm sure Michael Jordon, Mohammed Ali or Magic Johnson are completely humble in your book? Of course they're not!! And why should they be? They are the greatest! So is Mark Spitz! It would be wonderful to see his country honor him in some way at the olympics. I recall Mohammed lighting the torch. Come on People! 7 gold medals in one olympics!! He has every right to feel slighted. YOU would too.

I have mixed feelings about this situation. I agree that Mark Spitz has a huge ego--but isn't some ego necessary to be a successful competitor? He does sound a bit whiney, and certainly could be there if he wanted--just go. Really though, I wonder how much control the USA has at games in CHINA to decide who presents medals, and wouldn't planning to have Mark Spitz present the record breaking medal be a bit presumptious? We are all cheering Michael on, but nothing is certain.

George Bush gets to watch Phelps in person, and he hasn't done much for this country or won even one gold medal. I think it's fair for Spitz to be unhappy about not being there. One of the greatest olympians of all time, Spitz won 9 gold medals during the Cold War era, and extinguished Jewish athletic stereotypes to an extent. Spitz was a symbol of glory, Phelps is just a beastly freak of nature. I think you're showing pompous disrespect for Mr. Spitz. Comparing Phelps to himself, the only 9x gold medalist in Olympic swimming prior to yesterday, was a gesture which he considered noble.

He wasn't invited because no one in the swimming community can stand his pompous behind. If Urby even tells you to move on with your life... well in 16 years of swimming that is the first negative thing I have heard Urby say in the media!

Michael outclasses him every day of the week. Hopefully this record will move on to someone gracious, kind and humble -- all things Spitz couldn't dream of being.

Editorials like this are the reason the athletes distrust writers. Most have never really competed and certainly are in no position to be critical of an athlete as accomplished as Mark Spitz. I am not a swimmer or an accomplish athlete but I certainly appreciate those who have accomplished as much as Mark Spitz has. Give him a break.

You media.You dig and dig and dig and then after you're done digging (to get to controversy by the way), you then vilify the subject.

Our "celebrity / controversy is news" society is wacked! And your viewpoint is more of the same nonsense. Mark Spitz is arguably one of the greatest athletes in the world. Show some respect keyboard.boy.

The Olympics are about one world, one dream. If you can't bring us together further, close the pie hole.

You're just mad because you're in the "office" cube.

On one hand, it would've been nice to see Spitz there to present the gold medals. A nice way to honor the past and celebrate the present and future.

On the other hand, Spitz is full of himself, just like he was when he competed. He wasn't too popular among many in the swimming community then, and he's not making many new friends now.

Spitz isn't that concerned with passing the torch as he is with getting his face on TV and name in the papers one last time. Because he knows if Phelps does win 8 golds, nobody will have a reason to mention his name again. After this, Olympic athletes will be measured against Phelps' accomplishments, not his.

I can't believe your criticism of Mark Spitz. He responded to a question about why he wasn't in Beijing and told the truth. If I were him, I'd be incensed! He did more for US swimming and Olympic athletics than any other American and now that it is possible he won't be of use to the Olympic Committee any more, they dumped him. What a classless act!.

I'm torn on this as well. The ego is huge. As is Phelps and this writer and the press and Americans in general, but then again it's all about me, then us, then them. Spitz was a champion. He was the first. There was something 10x more exciting about his achievements then than there are now. But of course a lot of that has to do with our culture of everything now and all the time and everything new all the time. No time for history, no time for past. It seems logically an interesting profile and time to celebrate the past and the new by honoring both athletes at one time and the same time. From my perspective it's a much more interesting story than the endless "raised by a single mom" profiles that are now being done. It would have made a ton of sense for NBC to have flown Spitz out, boarded him, have him announce the events. Something. If Spitz had bought his own ticket and sat in the stands and had to endure countless microphones in his face asking him how he felt, that would have been too much for any man's ego. What Phelps feels now, he will still feel in 30 years and one can't blame him to feel the same way that Spitz will feel.

Spitz is right. He should have received an equally dignant treatment as the other past Olympiads that were officially invited. He made our country proud (in a depressing decade of the 70's). That's how it works for great champions like that..

Let's think of this from another perspective. Suppose during the planning stages for the Games (likely several months or even a year ago), when they were lining up the other special medal presenters, the IOC did make arrangements for Spitz to come to Beijing and be a presenter for Phelps' record-breaking event. Wouldn't that be a slap in the face to every other swimmer that Phelps competes against? Wouldn't the IOC in essence be saying, "the rest of you guys have no chance, Phelps is going to win 8 golds, and here is how we are going to present the coronation"?

There's no way they would do that. Perhaps they could have had him "on call" to fly in if/when Phelps got to 6 or 7, but it's not an easy task to just drop what you're doing and fly to China.

Could Spitz be featured more on NBC? Maybe. But how do we know they don't have a special package in the can for the night when Phelps goes for No. 7 or 8?

Fly the Man to Beijing.

Stupid missed marketing moment for the sport of swimming, the governing bodies, the coaches and trainers, the equipment manufactures and all those who make money off the sport.

Idiotic.

I think this is a great piece, and am saddened to see some comments attacking KVH.
The purpose of an op/ed piece is to get readers to think, not necessarily to agree. Judging from the passionate responses, KVH did his job.
Leave KVH alone--regardless if you agree with him or not, this is a great piece of writing.

I've seen better rants written on craigslist.

SPitz may be a jerk, but it was a big oversight not to include him in the moment. Is it necessary ? No. Is it rude? Seemingly. Was it a MAJOR marketing oversight? Undeniably YES!

Yes the purpose of an op/ed piece is to get readers to think, and not necessarily to agree...and obviously, responders DID think...and expressed themselves accordingly...

Also, the elements of fairness and accuracy ought to be part of any journalist's purpose, and not providing the entirety of Spitz' comments and the context is which they were given doesn't meet that standard (and is the type of ploy very common to the profession)...

I think KVH said all those ignorant things just to get people riled up so that they'd respond (which is typical of bloggers today, but not necessarily of journalists). Mark Spitz should have definitely been invited for all the reasons others mentioned. After seeing KVH's sophomoric video clip at the Great Wall where he was constantly mugging for the camera and acting all-around goofy, I can see why he is in print journalism and not broadcast journalism. KVH is just another media type riding Michael Phelps coattails.

Wow, a champion athlete with a huge ego; how unusual.

I have to disagree with you on this one Rick. Unless there is some hineous act that Mark Spitz has commited in the recent past, he definitely should have been invited to Beijing. They had Bush there as well as many other dignitaries and past medalists, so why not Spitz?

This is the prime Olympic event that the American press is putting on their front page. So the guy has his feelings hurt and we are all telling him he is wrong for feeling hurt? C'mon. Let's show the guy a little more respect for him. It's a sham that he wasn't invited out there.

People that accomplish things like this usually have tremendous egos. So What?? In this day and age of carving out a high self esteem?? ego goes hand in hand with that...stop whining about it.

There is no doubt that he should have been invited and recognized for his accomplishment. If I were him I would, perhaps, have the same swing of feelings tempered by some bitterness..and feelings change, at least Spitz is being honest about it. The Olympics are a tradition and traditions are built upon history..honor that history while you can, Mark is still alive and healthy.

I agree with Mark. Case closed!

I think the problem is that Mark Spitz has always had this "me first" atttitude.Even in 1972 people hated his attitude. So, when he acts like this, people react accordingly.

There are many famous athletes who have inspired many sports. Is the USOC or the National Sports Organizations supposed to fly them all to China? The ones you see are working for NBC. Maybe Mark sucks as a commentator.

to say we want to see Phelps break the record because of Spitz's ego is ridiculous. Don't all want to see it for the sheer sport of it? I haven't heard the name Spitz uttered by Spitz himself or another in 20 years. The author has a grudge.

Mark Spitz set the bar high with his gold medal count. He set it just as high with his arrogance. I guess popularity does count with NBC, just like it did with the swimming community, worldwide TV viewers and the audience on hand in China, who cheered enthusiastically when the U.S. 4x100 freestyle relay team chased down Alain Bernand and the trash-talking Frenchies. Most people instinctively dislike arrogant, boastful people and whiners. It's human nature.

You are a horses A**,
Spitz is a great guy

accomplishment without humility is not respected. Eric Heiden is a much classier athlete than Spitz. Perhaps Spitz should've been asked to do the torch run in Atlanta. But no one can stand an egomania. What Spitz accomplished was phenomenal, be satisfied with that.

Mark Spitz is a gem of a person, should have been at the games, whether invited or not...but this article is really harsh and biased. The guy who wrote the article probably can't even swim himself...my how cheap shots have become standard today.

If the purpose of any piece of editorial is to make a person think, then you present both sides, and then the people think and decide. This was a hack job. Regardless of Spitz. This is low class journalism and is the future with the likes of Maese and Preston. Journalism is presenting the facts, then let the reader decide. Here, he is trying to force his opinion down every readers throat. Another classless writer on the Sun payroll. Hey, weren't they just cutting several jobs? They should start with this writer.

spitz is way too arrogant and out of place. Phelps was able to be spitz' times when he was fifteen. Most collegiate swimmers can beat spitz' times. He thinks he deserves so much more credit than he really does. These faster times are a result of harder training. Spitz never did close to the training that phelps goes through. Spitz is a jerk and is now a disgrace to the USA.

Hey, Scott, it's called a column, in which a writer presents his or her point of view. If it elicits discussion, that's great. But this isn't supposed to be a news piece, in which the writer presents two sides to an issue and lets the reader make a decision. You need to learn to discern between the two before you attack someone.

And who wouldn't think Spitz was simply trying to steal the spotlight from Phelps? Have you heard his comments? He has tried to make it about him. Does that make him a bad person? No. Just a guy who needs to get out of his own way for a little while.

And James, why don't you answer the question you posted to the writer? When was the last time you accomplished something so meaningful only to have it snatched away? Seems like an unfair analysis to me.

Spitz had and still has, no question, a huge ego. However, he is correct that, while Phelps deserves all the attention he is getting, people forget that it was Spitz, who set the table for Phelps by setting such a high standard. 7 golds, 7 world records - a tremendous accomplishment. Ask Phelps about Athens, 4 years ago. Without Spitz' accomplishments in Munich, the Phelps frenzy would not be so great and yes, Spitz was right, that he did not enter 7 events to chase 7 golds. Is there any question that Phelps is and has decided to compete in 8 events? Nothing wrong with that or taking anything away from Phelps, but Spitz is correct.

""I never got invited," you told the Agence France-Presse. "You don't go to the Olympics just to say, I am going to go." Ummm, I'd say this statement is also correct. An invite would provide a reason to go. Think of all the games across all sports, where a time honored tremendous record was broken. Was the previous record holder there, just to be there?

The statement regarding Ian Crocker's time compared to Spitz's time in the same event is ridiculous. You're talking thirty something years. Can any speed records compare? A truly stupid comparison, as if to say Crocker was as good a champion as Spitz.

Could Spitz have gotten a greater haul of gold if allowed to compete longer (remember, they didn't have the same rules for endorsements as they do now, so they could not support themselves as easily)? Undoubtedly, he was that good.

Now having said that, it is true Spitz is still pompous, arrogant at times and can be very difficult to like. However, his accomplishments then and until now are still the greatest swimming has ever seen. He set the standard.

Phelps has been amazing and should he break Spitz's single Olympics gold medal haul, will be considered the greatest swimmer of all time (if not already- more golds in only 2 olympics vs 3 for Spitz). This should not diminish Spitz's place in swim history but should show just how great a swimmer he was to have accomplished that.

Sure Mark Spitz is proud of himself - who wouldnt be?

Think about it - 36 years ago the technology doesnt hold a candle to what this guy accomplished.

No fancy suits. He wore a speedo of all things - a hairy body, including a mustache and long hair, no cap

The pools were not as aerodynamic as they are now.

Face to face and swimming like in '72 Phelps and Spitz

Sorry Spitz would win hands down

As a side note - Most of these reporters that are writing about how M.S. is "whining" were not even born in '72 -

PHELPS vs spitz
People, stop comparing Phelps to Spitz. It's all media hype and not really an accurate comparison of Michael Phelps accomplishments.

Spitz / Phelps both swam at Olympics in '72 and '08 respectively
4 x 100 Relay
4 x 200 Relay
4 x 100 Medley Relay
200 Freestyle
200 Butterfly
100 Butterfly

in addition...

Phelps 2008
200 Individual Medley
400 Individual Medley

Spitz 1972
100 Freestyle

(1) Phelps winning 8 golds is more impressive than Spitz winning his 7 golds. There is tremendous overlap in training for freestyle and butterfly - that is why you will see a lot of freestylers in butterfly events and vice versa (Matt Biondi, Michael Gross, Kristen Otto, Amy van Dyken). But regardless, Spitz would only have trained for the freestyle and butterfly leading up to the Olympics.

Phelps on the other hand must train for two additional individual medley events - events that require mastery of all four strokes and tremendous stamina. If you compare each swimmer's program at their respective Olympics, Spitz' only different event was the 100 freestyle.

(2) The level of competition has greatly increased. During the Munich Olympics, the U.S., East Germany and Australia dominated the swimming events. This is further enhanced by the fact that the countries were allowed to enter more than two swimmers per event in '72, unlike today. A total of ten countries won swimming medals in Munich. Already in Beijing, 15 countries have won medals.

(3) Olympic semifinal format requires each swimmer in an individual to swim a prelim, a semifinal and a final. Phelps will race five additional times for each individual event he is entered in Beijing. In the 1972 Olympics, a prelim final format was used which did not have a semifinal race before the final race. Phelps program is not only more difficult, it is more rigorous and physically demanding.

(4) Phelps seems to genuinely care for the sport of swimming, not that Spitz doesn't (nor would I know if he didn't, anyways). Phelps wants to bring more exposure for the sport of swimming, not just during the Olympics, but all the time. In American, where the NBA, NFL and MLB are kings, it's admirable that Phelps is up to the task.

Spitz, on the other hand, has seemed to be concerned about his own narccicistic glory. He actually did not want to swim the 100 freestyle in 1972 as he was afraid it could possibly blemish his 5 gold medals he had already won. His coach and teammate eventually convinced him that it would be cowardly to drop out of the race for the sake of appearances.

Today, there is an article that Spitz is upset that he was snubbed and "demeaned" by the IOC because he did not receive an invitation to the Olympics. In the midst of China throwing an Olympics for the ages, an untimely war beginning in eastern Europe, he seems to think that the Olympic spirit somehow should symbolize honorizing past Olympians and presenting Michael Phelps with the 8th gold medal. When Michael Phelps wins the 8th gold medal, it is Michael Phelps that is honored and his country - not Mark Spitz. His ego continues to spiral out of control as he can not come to grips with the torch already being passed.

People, stop comparing Phelps to Spitz. It's all media hype and not really an accurate comparison of Michael Phelps accomplishments.

Spitz / Phelps both swam in '72 and '08 respectively
4 x 100 Relay
4 x 200 Relay
4 x 100 Medley Relay
200 Free
200 Fly
100 Fly
in addition...

Phelps 2008
200 Individual Medley
400 Individual Medley

Spitz 1972
100 Free

(1) There is tremendous overlap in training for freestyle and butterfly - that is why you will see a lot of freestylers in fly events and vice versa (Matt Biondi, Michael Gross, Kristen Otto, Amy van Dyken). Regardless, Spitz would only have trained for the freestyle and butterfly leading up to the Olympics.

Phelps on the other hand must train for two additional individual medley events - events that require mastery of all four strokes and tremendous stamina. If you compare each swimmer's program a

t their respective Olympics, Spitz' only different event was the 100 freestyle.

(2) The level of competition has greatly increased. During the Munich Olympics, the U.S., East Germany and Australia dominated the swimming events. This is further enhanced by the fact that the countries were allowed to enter more than two swimmers per event in '72, unlike today. A total of ten countries won swimming medals in Munich. Already in Beijing, 15 countries have won medals.

(3) Olympic semifinal format requires each swimmer in an individual to swim a prelim, a semifinal and a final. Phelps will race five additional times for each individual event he is entered in Beijing. In the 1972 Olympics, a prelim final format was used which did not have a semifinal race before the final race. Phelps program is not only more difficult, it is more rigorous and physically demanding.

(4) Phelps seems to genuinely care for the sport of swimming, not that Spitz doesn't (nor would I know if he didn't, anyways). Phelps wants to bring more exposure for the sport of swimming, not just during the Olympics, but all the time. In American, where the NBA, NFL and MLB are kings, it's admirable that Phelps is up to the task.

Spitz, on the other hand, has seemed to be concerned about his own narccicistic glory. He actually did not want to swim the 100 freestyle in 1972 as he was afraid it could possibly blemish his 5 gold medals he had already won. His coach and teammate eventually convinced him that it would be cowardly to drop out of the race for the sake of appearances.

Today, there is an article that Spitz is upset that he was snubbed and "demeaned" by the IOC because he did not receive an invitation to the Olympics. In the midst of China throwing an Olympics for the ages, an untimely war beginning in eastern Europe, he seems to think that the Olympic spirit somehow should symbolize honorizing past Olympians and presenting Michael Phelps with the 8th gold medal. When Michael Phelps wins the 8th gold medal, it is Michael Phelps that is honored and his country - not Mark Spitz. His ego continues to spiral out of control as he can not come to grips with the torch already being passed.

I was saddened to read that Mark wouldn't be on hand in the event his 1972 sweep was met or bested - it's a fine moment when one of the "greats" is given the opportunity to greet a gifted successor.

I came up in the sport a little ahead of the Mexico games and, even then, we all knew Mark was one to watch - a natural talent. With all the horrors of Southeast Asia and the Watergate debacle, his wins at Munich were just absolutely stunning - I was so proud I thought my heart would burst.

We seem today to demand he become the grand old man but, for my part, he was a superb athlete who represented his not-so-beloved-at-the-time country in the best possible light.

Mark, I salute you. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Hey Colin: I disagree. You need to discern what the purpose of any journalism piece is. This is not a "column" in which a journalist is just supposed to attack someone. Its interesting how you accuse me of attacking someone, when in fact the writer was the one attacking, by cherry picking comments of a larger conversation.

Colin: Here is the purpose of this column as stated by the Sun at the top of this page "Sun reporters Kevin Van Valkenburg and Rick Maese will blog from Beijing throughout the Summer Olympics. Kevin and Rick will blog back and forth with each other as a way of letting readers in on the sights, sounds and the action in Beijing." It does not state anything about rendering opinions as to former Olympians character or personality. So you sir, need to learn the difference of an editorial, which by the quote above, this is not supposed to be, and journalism, which KVH did not write. Learn the difference.

Hey Colin, read the article. This is a negative article about a gentleman that was a national hero in 1972. Was you even born at the time, if you were do you remember what was going on in the world at the time? Vietnam, 1972 olympics munich massacre, bombings in Europe. This athlete done something no one else had done before. For a few days people focused on something other than bad and cheered for something good. Now 30 something years later we have a puke journalist wanting to dimiss what he had done in light of another great athlete on the verge of surpassing him. (Read his assessment of Ian Crocker vs Mark Spitz) What an opportunity for the past to honor the now but we are done with Mr. Spitz in this throw away society. Are we done with the previous great swimmers like Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabbe,Eleanor Holm? Your answer would be YES. But remember there are a few of us that still honor those who have set great standards before us, before our time that we few will not forget. (Kind of like honoring our veterans that came before us but that's not important either is it Colin) I would suggest that we have an olympics for these so called journalist, problem is that hardly any one would attend. I'm glad that I have seen some great accomplishments in my time, and I cherish them for what they are and not the one sided opinon of a desk jockey. Oh and by the way, even though my goals have been met by me and have been bested by others, yes it still hurts, I don't care what size your ego is and if you say otherwise your a liar.

I have no idea why this article was approved. I will say however, that it succeeds in tarnishing the imagine I had of the Baltimore Sun. Exactly who the hell are you to tell Mark Spitz to get over something? He should have been invited as were other Olympians. How dare they snub him after all he has done in his name and theirs for this event? His desire to be there when Michael breaks his record...And present him with the gold is only normal and quite wonderful. It's definitely something I would want to see. Most record holders in sports are there when a younger athlete breaks their record to congratulate them and wish them continued success. You need to learn some respect for those who have achieved in life and cease the hate.

The fact that Spitz WASN'T invited speaks volumes not on the USOC or IOC but rather Spitz himself. He has spent his entire swimming career and post-career isolating and distancing himself from the swimming community - the same community that helped him achieve his greatness. When the top U.S. national coaches in past four decades (Reese, Schubert, Urbanchek) publicly have made their opinions known of Spitz, perhaps he should consider why they feel that way.

No, the IOC did not forget the invitation to Spitz. He simply was not invited. Spitz embodies values that are counter to the Olympic spirit and ideals.

Kevin, you're dead correct about this.

Somebody definitely dropped the ball on this one. For the first few days of the Olympics, I kept waiting for him to appear right next to Bob Costas every time I turned on my tv. What a shame. We, the audience, are the ones getting dissed. I will never forget what Spitz did for US swimming and Olympic athletics, and that poster (wearing the 7 medals) is a true iconic image from the 70's. I wish I still had mine!

Mark Spitz is a nice guy and he is so lovely . He had invited to visit Hong Kong for apm shopping mall event in August . He was the special guest for the mall event and he hold a youth clinic programs to teach kids swimming and exercises . The Hong Kong people were so excited and he liked to take photos with all the people . I don't see his ego is huge . Please respect Mark Spitz . He is an Olympic Hero !

I guess I have to chime in with everyone else. I believe that every American at home that is watching Michael Phelps in the 2008 Olympics is thinking the same thing: it would be great if Mark Spitz was there and being interviewed about the swimming events. I know that I am thinking this - as Mark Spitz's name is constantly being mentioned. There is no doubt that he has been the sport's biggest name since the 70's and perhaps the greatest Olympian of all time. He earned this reputation and I think most Americans wished that the Olympic committee would have made that happen. The Olympic committee could still get him there on a direct flight today and how great would that be?

Unfortunately, when Mark Spitz himself says this - it sounds like he has a giant ego. It's OK for us to speak the truth but it's a big turn-off when the truth comes directly from him. However, despite his high opinion of his accomplishments - he is right.

Easily one of the stupidest columns I have ever read. That envious slob wouldn't know the difference between Heracles and Paris Hilton.

Did you see Spitz on the Today Show this morning. They asked him about his so-called snub and his comments in regards to not being invited. He denied it, didn't really answer the question, but was very complimentary of Phelps and contributed to the current "Phelps-Mania" He seems like a phony more now than ever, but then again he makes his living as a motivational speaker and I'd imagine that it might be tough to change your brochure to read: the former world/Olympic record holder. Then again, sounding like you have sour grapes doesn't bode well for motivational speakers.
Spitz as much as said he would've beat Phelps in 72 and Phelps would beat him in 2008.

Did you see Spitz on the Today Show this morning. They asked him about his so-called snub and his comments in regards to not being invited. He denied it, didn't really answer the question, but was very complimentary of Phelps and contributed to the current "Phelps-Mania" He seems like a phony more now than ever, but then again he makes his living as a motivational speaker and I'd imagine that it might be tough to change your brochure to read: the former world/Olympic record holder. Then again, sounding like you have sour grapes doesn't bode well for motivational speakers.
Spitz as much as said he would've beat Phelps in 72 and Phelps would beat him in 2008.

Athletes with egos? I'm shocked! Seriously, Bjorn Borg was on hand when Federer tied his record of winning Wimbledon five years in a row in 2007 and again this summer (as well as the French Open). I think Spitz deserves some respect for his accomplishments and that he should be in Beijing to cheer on Phelps. Sure, Spitz isn't handling this well, but I can't imagine what it's like to be "dethroned," either.

Mark Spitz national hero athlete. He is FAR less ego than any third rate, forgettable NBA player. Give him his due, and honor him for the decades long record....

Check Phelps for gills!

I think United States wants to portray another " Mark Spitz " . Simultaneously proved a monstrous fetus can become the world first fastest swimmer. But does not need to forget the Mark Spitz's merit .
Let's testing pills for Phelps .

I think that the USOC, Speedo, Nike, NBC and whoever else missed a golden opportunity here. They could have fitted the bill with no problem. Heck they waste more money in one day than it would have cost to send and house Mark for two weeks.

Of course Mark has an ego. I would too if my records have stood for 20-30 years. Ego is part of what makes great athletes great. Yes we'd like to see them more like us but if they were then they'd be distracted like us, less motivated like us, and probably on the sidelines watching like us. It's takes ego, discipline, and talent to be a great athlete.

Is Mark whining maybe? But if a company like Nike can take a clip from the Men's Basketball documentary and in two days turn it around into a commercial, then they could have done something for Mark and Michael. Coach K. showed the men's b-ball team Marvin Gaye's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner after practice to get them motivated. Two days after that scene aired Nike ran with it and created a commercial out of it. So the opportunities were there.

I actually say shame on the USOC, NBC, Speedo, Nike and the other big named companies for missing an opportunity like this. There are people that are paid big money to deal with ego's. Put together a program for passing the torch and hire that person or people to deal with Mark and his ego. Everybody wants to jump on Mark. What about jumping on the USOC. After all it's their athlete that is doing something that no other athlete has ever done. And he's taking it from another one of their athletes..

I'll admit it. I wasn't born yet when Mark Spitz competed in the Olympics. I'm sure it was awesome to be around at that time and do honestly value his accomplishments. Because I wasn't around at that time, I have to rely mostly on what's written and how he acts. He is the one that made it about him. It was not humble and if you are a true champion, you shouldn't worry how much you are on TV. I don't think it matters that Spitz wasn't targeting 7 golds and that Phelps is targeting 8. Phelps will be a part of US Swimming even after retirement. Spitz only sees it as a cash cow to exploit(i.e. his attempted comeback in '92 for $1,000,000).

The Olympic movement prefers humble losers and gracious winners to egomaniac winners. Spitz guess which one you are.

Spitz was the epitome of grace and graciousness with Phelps on NBC just now.

I assume this writer will now apologize to Spitz, who, in interview after interview, could not have been more effusive with praise for Michael Phelps upon Phelps tying Spitz's record of seven gold medals..

Get over Mark Spitz folks. I don't doubt his accomplishments - they're incredible. But do you see Janet Evans or Mary Lou Retton b!tching about not getting a free ticket or a free ride to Beijing? Yet I saw them in the nosebleed seats cheering their hearts out, thrilled beyond belief that her record fell and Nastia win the gold.

The Olympics are not about any one individual, no matter how great. You will never see Phelps handing out medals twenty years from now - never.

I think that Mark Spitz should have been invited to attend. It would have been the right thing to do. Michael Phelps will never match Spitz' accomplishments, whether he wins eight medals or a hundred and eight! It's kind of like a football player today beating a record of a player from 25 or 30 years ago, when there were only 12 games in a regular season and much less player protection. I think you need to "get over it"!

Mark is in Beijing, I think, the back drops of his interviews are the same as NBC.

Davianne give me a break. How is it like a football player beating a record from years ago?

Do you know that Michael Spitz never had to swim semifinal races? Or that he never swam the individual medley events?

You seem to really not know anything about international swimming. If anything, Phelps had it 100 times harder than Spitz.

Idiot...

I vaguely recall the Spitz era and all the celebrity which embraced him. It occurs to me that $7,000,000 in 1973 dollars is the inflation adjusted equivalent of $75,000,000 today! That is a pretty respectful sum. His success could pay his way for a very nice trip to Bejing on the $10,000 per day he earns in interest. Unless of course his Principal declined as much as his fame after the Olympics.

Instead of being grateful he is full of his own greatness, of feeling fortunate
he feels entitled, of possesing humility he has hubris. The horrible tragedy that took place in those very same Olympics which took the lives of countrymrn and fellow Olympians, should be remembered and those 11 should be honored. Instead this lucky soul was worried about a plane ticket and a hotel bill. The only respect lacking for Mark Spitz is self respect.

pretty moronic article, I,m hoping you wrote it as a joke to get responses, but I doubt it.