Mark Spitz surfaces, praises Michael Phelps

BEIJING -- There were rumors that Mark Spitz was in Beijing, rumors that he was in Hong Kong, rumors that he was at home in Southern California.

Turns out he was in Detroit, watching his son play in a basketball tournament.

The Associated Press reached him after the thrilling 100-meter butterfly final Saturday. Michael Phelps won to equal Spitz's record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics. Spitz did it in swimming during the 1972 Games.

"Epic,'' Spitz told the AP of Phelps' performances here. "He's the greatest racer who ever walked the planet.''

Via NBC, Spitz told Phelps: "I wondered what I was going to say at this monumental time when it would happen and who I would say it to, and, of course, I thought I was going to say it to you for some time now. The word comes to mind: epic. What you did tonight was epic.

"I never thought for one moment you were out of that race. You represent such an inspiration to youngsters around the world.''

Phelps told NBC's Bob Costas: "As soon as I took the last half stroke, to be honest, I thought I had lost the race. And that was the difference, cause if I would have glided then I would have come up short. I've been lucky enough over the last four years to have two pretty good finishes in Olympic finals. I guess I'm blessed.''

In Athens four years ago in the same event, the 100 butterfly, Phelps was trailing U.S. teammate Ian Crocker until the final stroke. Phelps won that one by four-hundredths of a second, a breeze compared to his .01-second victory Saturday over Milo Cavic.

-- Randy Harvey

Top: an AP file photo from August 1972 of Mark Spitz at the Olympic Pool in Munich, West Germany. Middle: Photo of Michael Phelps (R) and Serbia-Montenegro's Milorad Cavic touching the blocks by Michael Kappeler/AFP/Getty Images

Comments

Very generous-spirited comments by Mark Spitz, nice to hear. And Michael Phelps is modest about his amazing accomplishments. Olympics at its best.

[J.Freeman]

After watching Bob Costas' interview with both Spitz and Phelps, I was scratching my head wondering "is it just me, or did Michael Phelps just totally BLOW his biggest opportunity to show the world that he is worthy of accepting this new Olympic baton being passed to him by the great Mark Spitz!?!?"

Okay, so just observing Phelps in the media's interview clips, plus his nice-guy demeanor projected in TV commercials, led all of us to think of him as a gangly humble all-American boy. I, too, was sucked in... he SEEMED to be a genuinely nice kid.

We WANTED to like Phelps and cheer for his Olympic gold because he didn't come across like the typical celebrity So-Cal jock basking in the spotlight. Not as handsome or charming as Spitz, Phelps is -- frankly -- goofy looking. But we admired his dedicated focus, accomplishment in the sport, and apparent love for his family.

But NOT after that Costas fiasco! Self-centered Phelps was all about "me-me-me." Spitz was more than generous with his overblown compliments toward Phelps. We certainly would have understood if Spitz's eloquent commendations of Phelps had tapered off toward the end of the interview (I certainly was getting frustrated with Phelps). But no, Spitz was as smooth as ever and never wavered in his support. What a gentleman!

Costas, the consummate professional, attempted to assist Phelps. Perhaps Phelps couldn't hear the questions due to residual water in his ear? Maybe he was just distracted -- Phelps' mother admits to his being diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) -- or simply tired and hungry?

Repeatedly, Costas tried to help Phelps volley the praises. So much in fact, if he were an attorney he would have been guilty of LEADING the witness! Sadly Phelps never did recover, and now we are left thinking perhaps the record of 8 gold swimming medals should be left to another... more deserving athlete.

[sheila]

Do you think Mark Spitz could have had more gold medals than Michael Phelps if he had just shaved his arm pits and lost the facial hair? Joking aside they are both amazing athletes.

[melissa]

I never got invited," he told Agence France-Presse in Hong Kong. "You don't go to the Olympics just to say, 'I am going to go.' Especially because of who I am. I am going to sit there and watch Michael Phelps break my record anonymously? That's almost demeaning to me. It is not almost -- it is."---Mark Spitz on not attending the Olympics

Michael Phelps has the humility of an Olympic champion. He is a great role model as an athelete and human being.

[Harley Leiber]

Mark and Michael are both accomplished swimmers. Holding them up to the same standards is ludicrous given the science that has evloved related to sport since Spitz won in the early 70's. So Michael and Mark cannot be compared. That does not diminish either swimmers accomplishments. Both are heroic and raise the bar for us all. Mark could show a little humility...otherwise he also earns the title major Richard Cranium....however unintentionally.

[B.T.]

Up until the Costas interview my wife and I had gained a sincere admiration and excitement for Phelp’s “road to gold”, but after that interview we were shaking our heads in complete disbelief.

What a pompous and nauseating display of ingratitude!

Spitz was such a class act. He showered Phelps with the highest of praise during that interview, for God’s sake he defined Michael’s accomplishment as “Epic”! How much more could anyone say that could top THAT accolade?! Especially coming from the mouth of a former Olympic champion and 36 year reigning record holder!

Costas pitched Michael multiple soft balls to reciprocate appreciation and redeem his train-wreck of an interview, but Phelps was too intoxicated by his raging ego to even pick up the bat.

Apparently the “Mushroom Cloud” of self infatuation and arrogance enveloping over his BIG head impaired his ability to exhibit sportsmanship and tact.

The only person who was more proud and awed by Michael’s achievement besides Spitz and “Mommy Dearest” - was Michael Phelps himself.

Phelps may be the new record holder but in my humble opinion Spitz is still the True Champion.