Milestones: 32 Years Ago In Time

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Swimmer Michael Phelps is about to challenge the record set by MARK SPITZ of seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics. It was a feat worthy of a TIME cover.

Mark Spitz is in as complete command of his sport as any other athlete in history. There are many reasons for his proficiency, but his physical attributes alone would seem to give him a pool-length advantage over a greased porpoise. He carries 170 lbs. easily on a tightly compacted 6-ft. frame. Hanging from his wide shoulders are a pair of long supple arms terminating in a pair of scoop-shovel hands that can pull him cleanly through the water with scarcely a ripple. He also has the curious ability to flex his lower legs slightly forward at the knees, which allows him to kick 6 to 12 in. deeper in the water than his opponents. Says his father Arnold, a production engineer: "Mark's whole body is so flexible that the water just seems to slip by him." ... Said Spitz before the games: "I want to win at Munich and then quit. I never swam for glory, only the satisfaction of being recognized as the best in the world." Beyond all doubt, he has achieved that goal.

--TIME, Sept. 11, 1972