In my day, at 12 years old, which was 38 years ago, we worked out in summer months for two and a half hours. Today someone in that age group might work out for four hours, two hours in the morning and two at night. – Mark Spitz
If he wins seven golds and ties what I did, then it would be like I was the first man on the moon and he became the second. If he wins more than seven, then he becomes the first man on Mars. We’d both be unique. – Mark Spitz
All things being equal, if we could simulate the same scenario, he has a lot more difficult task. He’s elected to swim six individual events, as opposed to what I elected to do, which was four. – Mark Spitz
One of the most difficult things for people who have been successful in sports is adapting to the daily world where you can’t get an answer from someone until 5 o’clock tomorrow. There is always an excuse. Living 40 or 50 years like that doesn’t get too exciting after a while. – Mark Spitz
I walked away from the sport for 17 years, then started swimming again recently in a master’s program. – Mark Spitz
By making a comeback, I’m changing the attitude of people toward me. If I’d known that people would react so enthusiastically, I’d have done it years ago. – Mark Spitz
When I went to the Olympics, I had every intention of shaving the mustache off, but I realized I was getting so many comments about it – and everybody was talking about it – that I decided to keep it. – Mark Spitz
Yes, I believe that the art of winning is through intimidation, and not necessarily do you have to speak about it. – Mark Spitz
And if you have high cholesterol, you would feel the same as if you had low cholesterol because there are no side effects, no symptoms of having high cholesterol. – Mark Spitz
The pool is terrible, but that doesn’t have much to do with my record swims. That’s all mental attitude. – Mark Spitz
It has nothing to do with swimming. That happens to be my sport. I’m trying to see how far I can go. – Mark Spitz
The only side effect of too much training is that you get into better shape. There is nothing wrong with that. – Mark Spitz
Well my thoughts on American swimming are that our prospects look favorable, but we may not have as strong a showing in the gold medal count as in previous Olympics. But I am not coaching. – Mark Spitz
I always wanted to be a dentist from the time I was in high school, and I was accepted to dental school in the spring of 1972. I was planning to go, but after the Olympics there were other opportunities. – Mark Spitz
Past performance speaks a tremendous amount about one’s ability and likelihood for success. – Mark Spitz
What it is saying is that someone who was a world champion and who takes care of himself with a 17-year rest and applies the proper training techniques and perseverance could be successful. – Mark Spitz
I’m trying to do the best I can. I’m not concerned with tomorrow, but with what goes on today. – Mark Spitz
