Mark Spitz, the only athlete to win seven gold medals in a single Olympiad, was voted No. 33 among North American athletes of the 20th century by SportsCentury's distinguished 48-person panel.

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Sept. 3, 1972 -- Spitz was raised with the attitude, taught to him by his father Arnold, that "swimming isn't everything, winning is."

After winning five Olympic gold medals in four days, he said, "No, this isn't fun, not yet at least. It's tremendous -- the pressure of not losing. I'd rather win six out of six, or even four out of four, then six out of seven. It's reached a point to where my self-esteem comes into it. I just don't want to lose."

Spitz considered dropping out of the 100-meter freestyle because, fearing American Jerry Heidenreich's prowess, he didn't consider himself a sure thing. But Spitz's coach, Sherm Chavoor, who was in Munich as coach of the U.S. women's team, convinced his student that he would be perceived as "chicken" if he didn't compete in the 100.

So Spitz swam. In the semifinal heat, Spitz held back and finished behind Michael Wenden, the defending Olympic champion from Australia, and Heidenreich.

In the final, Spitz surprised his competitors by starting quickly rather than saving his strength for the second lap. He reached the wall first in 24.56 seconds, almost a half-body ahead of Heidenreich and the Soviet Union's Vladimir Bure. With 15 yards to go, Spitz suddenly lost his rhythm, but he regrouped to finish a half-stroke ahead of the charging Heidenreich.

Spitz won in 51.22, knocking .25 seconds off his own world record. With his sixth gold secured, he raised his arms in a victory salute as the crowd roared.

The next day, Spitz won his seventh gold as part of the record-setting 4 x 100-meter medley relay.

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