Mark Spitz
In seven events at the 1972 Munich Games, Mark Spitz amassed seven gold medals -- the most ever won by an individual in Olympic competition -- and set seven world records. No other athlete has come close to the prodigious performance. In 1965, he collected four gold medals at the Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv. He picked up five more at the 1967 Pan American Games in Canada. At the Mexico City Games in 1968, he won two gold medals in what was considered a disappointing Olympic performance. However, in Munich, he roared back with his record-setting seven championships. During his brilliant career, he set 32 world and 38 American records.
