Mark Spitz
Chronology
| 1950 | Born February 10 in Modesto, California |
| 1958 | Begins swimming competitively |
| 1961 | Comes under guidance of coach Sherm Chavoor |
| 1965 | Competes in Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, his first international event |
| 1966 | Competes in National Amateur Athletic Union 100-meter butterfly |
| 1967 | Competes in Pan-American Games in Winnipeg, Canada |
| 1968 | Vows to win gold in all events at Mexico City Olympics but takes gold only in the 4x100-meter and 4x200-meter freestyle relays |
| 1969 | Graduates from Indiana University, where he swims for coach James "Doc" Counsilman |
| 1972 | Leaves Olympic Games early after winning gold medals and after killing of Israeli athletes in Olympic village |
| 1973 | Formally retires from swimming |
| 1973 | Signs with William Morris Agency, earning $5 million in endorsements |
| 1973 | Marries Suzy Weiner |
| 1987 | Autobiography Seven Golds published |
| 1989 | Attempts a comeback and begins training for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics |
| 1992 | Fails to qualify in the 100-meter butterfly and concedes defeat, beginning second retirement |
| 1998 | Proposes creating initiative to address problem of swimmers and performance-enhancing drugs |
Additional topics
Famous Sports StarsSwimmingMark Spitz Biography - "swimming Isn't Everything", Glory Days, Prepares Seriously, Chronology, Awards And Accomplishments - CONTACT INFORMATION, SELECTED WRITINGS BY SPITZ: