• American swimmer Michael Phelps has broken Mark Spitz's record of winning seven Olympic gold medals at a single Summer Olympics as he has won eight swimming events at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Phelps won gold medals in each of the eight events he competed in at the 2008 Summer Games to break Spitz's record.USA Today: Chasing Destiny

• Fast Facts

  1. Spitz won seven gold medals in 1972USA Today: Chasing Destiny
  2. August 17, 2008: Phelps has won eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics
  3. Phelps became the all-time gold medal leader after winning his tenth and 11th gold medals on August 12, 2008Detroit Free Press: Michael Phelps Becomes Games' New Gold Standard (August 13, 2008)
  4. Spitz was not invited to the 2008 Summer OlympicsAFP: Spitz, Once the Star, Upset over Beijing Snub (August 10, 2008)

• Spitz Snub

  Despite the chance that his Olympic record could be broken, Mark Spitz was not in attendance at the 2008 events. Although Spitz was selected as one of the top five Olympians of all time, the International Olympic Committee did not invite him to attend the games. Spitz stated that he was upset over his omission and added that he would have liked to present a medal to Phelps.AFP: Spitz, Once the Star, Upset over Beijing Snub (August 10, 2008)

• Will He or Won't He?

  "Based on the experience he gained from trying to do it four years ago... I would say that he has got a great chance of doing it. Maybe even a better chance -- let's put it that way."—Mark SpitzDetroit News: Spitz Thinks Record Will Fall (July 5, 2008)

  "As far as the Mark Spitz thing is concerned, I've said it before and I'll say it again - all I want to be is the first Michael Phelps, not the second Mark Spitz... What he did will always be remembered as the greatest Olympic swimming performance of all time."—Michael PhelpsESPNStar.com: Phelps Happy with Spitz Comparison (August 2, 2008)

  "I say to him: 'Break all the records including mine'. I'm very happy for him. If he gets it, it will be a great day for the sport, for the Olympic movement and he will become the most important thing for the television."—Mark SpitzM&C: Mark Spitz Wishes Phelps All the Best to Break His Record (August 4, 2008)

  "I hope he does. But I think the odds are against it."—Matt BiondiDetroit News: Spitz Thinks Record Will Fall (July 5, 2008)

  "I'd love to actually watch that. I just don't think it will happen."—Ian ThorpeDetroit News: Spitz Thinks Record Will Fall (July 5, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Michael Phelps Sports Illustrated | Michael Phelps Wardrobe Malfunction | Michael Phelps | Michael Phelps Gold Medals | Michael Phelps World Records | Mark Spitz | Phelps Photo Finish | Summer Olympics 2008 | Olympic Swimming | US Olympic Swimming 2008 | Michael Phelps Suspended | Summer Olympics | Swimming | Phelps Endorsements

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