Question 1

True or false: Spitz was the first athlete to win seven gold medals at a single Olympic Games.

Accepted Answer

True. His seven golds in 1972 were a record until Michael Phelps won eight in 2008.

Question 2

True or false: Spitz retired from swimming immediately after the 1972 Olympics to become a dentist.

Accepted Answer

False. He retired from competition but never became a dentist; he pursued business and motivational speaking instead.

Question 3

True or false: Mark Spitz only swam freestyle and butterfly events during his Olympic career.

Accepted Answer

False. He also swam the 4x200m freestyle relay and the 4x100m medley relay, which included backstroke and breaststroke legs.

Question 4

True or false: Mark Spitz never competed in the Olympics after 1972 because he was banned for accepting endorsement money.

Accepted Answer

False. He wasn't banned; he retired voluntarily. Amateur rules were strict then, but he didn't break them.

Question 5

True or false: Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics, all in world record time.

Accepted Answer

True. He set world records in all seven events, a feat unmatched until Michael Phelps in 2008.

Question 6

True or false: Spitz trained with a coach who made him swim with a full beard to increase drag resistance.

Accepted Answer

False. He famously shaved his mustache before the 1972 Games to reduce drag; no coach made him grow a beard.

Question 7

True or false: Before his Olympic success, Spitz predicted he would win six gold medals in 1968 but only won two relays.

Accepted Answer

True. He famously boasted he'd win six golds in Mexico City, but finished with two relay golds and a silver.

Question 8

True or false: Spitz's signature mustache became iconic, and he once shaved it for a $10,000 bet.

Accepted Answer

True. He shaved his mustache on live TV for a bet with Johnny Carson, donating the money to charity.

Mark Spitz Trivia Questions