ESPN

Mark Spitz

  (10:48 AM)

Here in New York promoting the Hyatt resorts, where if you book your reservations for this fall you can get a free room upgrade and free breakfasts for two, as well as one free night...it is a great opportunity Hyatt is offering this fall... check out the website at hyatt3forfree.com. Let's go with the questions!

Bryan in Texas

Mark,Congrats to you on your achievements! What will be the biggest impact (either from what you experienced or not) that Phelps will experience post-Olympics? Endorsements? Future Competition? Complacency? Etc?

Mark Spitz

  (10:49 AM)

He is going to relax for about 6 months and try to figure out what he does next. He will start training for new events, at least that is something he mentioned.

Matt Gilbert (Fenton, MI)

Mr Spitz, what advice would you give to young athletes hoping to get into the Olympics?

Mark Spitz

  (10:50 AM)

First it depends on the sports. It comes down to local age group programs and then you go to national championships and try to develop your skills. If you are winning at the local level you would make a national team and travel to the pan-american games, and world championships and eventually the Olympics. You need to make time standards regardless of where you are at. And you need to be with the best program and coaches you can afford. Good athletes are attracted to the best programs.

Tim, Myrtle Beach, SC

How proud are that an American passed the magic number?

Mark Spitz

  (10:51 AM)

Very proud. I would be proud of anyone, though, who tried to break that record. It is quite an accomplishments. It is nice that Michael is an American and he worked very hard to accomplish what he did.

Mitch (Cincy)

Hey Mark what are you up to these days? Anything cool?

Mark Spitz

  (10:52 AM)

I do public speaking all over the world. I do about 20 a year. And I am involved in the water bussiness and I have done promotions with Olympic sponsors since 1972.

Keith (West Hartfrod, CT)

In your opinion, who is the greatest Olympian of all time??

Mark Spitz

  (10:53 AM)

It would have to be Michael Phelps right now for sure.

Matt

How did you stay mentally strong to win 7 golds?

Mark Spitz

  (10:54 AM)

I had been in Mexico City four years before and that really prepared me; I knew what it would take.

Brian Vining Douglas Georgia

How many Gold Medals do you think you could of had if you had the same technology of todays swimmers?

Mark Spitz

  (10:54 AM)

Well I would have won the same number, because those were the events I was good at. It would have been the same. Just because the pool is faster it does not necessarily mean that I would have improved at different events.

Mark Spitz

  (10:59 AM)

That's all the time I have. But I want to let everyone know that watching the Olympics is a great experience for young Americans. It allows you develop a sense of pride and helps develop the dreams of young people. Perhaps one day they will be standing at the podium of success because of their hard work and determinatioin. I wish everyone success in following their dreams. Good bye.