Phelps & Spitz: Seventh Admiration

In the 1972 Olympics, Mark Spitz won seven gold medals. Michael Phelps’ pursuit was similar. His pursuit was dissimilar. Each swam four individual events. Each swam three relay events. However, Phelps won the two hundred and four hundred individual medleys. Spitz won the one hundred meter freestyle. Their margins of victory and world records were comparable. However, Phelps’ adulation and idolization were uniquely this generation.

In the one hundred meter butterfly, Phelps garnered gold. Milorad Cavic scored silver. Andrew Lauterstein bagged bronze. Ian Crocker finished fourth. With fifty meters remaining, Phelps swam seventh. With fifteen meters remaining, he swam third. Clearly, he was advancing. Yet, victory seemed impossible. With one meter remaining, Cavic and Phelps approached the conclusion. They reached. Phelps outreached Cavic. Via one hundredth of a second, he garnered his seventh gold.

Amidst the historic exhilaration, Bob Costas interviewed Phelps and Spitz. Typically, both gushed. Both praised one another. With that stated, the sycophancy was wonderful. Phelps and Spitz. Equally accomplished. Two champions conversing.