A Half-Century Later, Some of Swimming’s Leading Women Chasing Down Legend of Mark Spitz
On September 4, 1972, Mark Spitz exited the pool for the final time at the Olympic Games in Munich. He had just handled the butterfly leg of the United States’ 400-meter medley relay, which prevailed behind a world-record performance. For Spitz, it was his seventh gold medal of the week, all arriving in world-record time. More than a half-century later, Spitz remains an iconic figure in swimming and Olympic lore.
That week in Germany, Spitz helped Team USA to three relay titles and captured individual golds in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 butterfly. A four-time medalist at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, Spitz wrapped up his Olympic career with 11 medals. By 1977, he was an inductee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and his achievements became a target for future generations, notably Michael Phelps.
The solo world records Spitz held at the conclusion of his career endured for varying lengths of time, but all had impressive shelf lives. While his 200 freestyle standard lasted for nearly two years, his mark in the 100 freestyle remained for 33 months. In the butterfly events, Spitz’s 100-meter best neared five years of longevity, while his record in the 200 distance held up for three-plus years.
Now, almost 54 years after Spitz established his final records, they are under attack – or have been taken down – by the best female athletes in the sport. That timeframe is the norm for women to catch up to men’s times, and it’s a beautiful thing to see several women match one of the all-time greats. Their times speak to the evolution of talent and movement forward that should be celebrated.
Here is a look at Mark Spitz’s final world records, and which female stars are hunting – or have hunted – them down.
100 Freestyle
Spitz’s World Record: 51.22
Women’s World Record: Marrit Steenbergen – 51.68
Reflection: Nearly a half-second still separates Spitz’s last world record in the 100 freestyle and the women’s world record, which was recently established by Dutch star Marrit Steenbergen. Because Steenbergen has been on a tear, with four sub-52 performances this year, perhaps she is about to take a large chunk from the standard, as China’s Pan Zhanle did in the men’s event when he clocked 46.40 at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Or, maybe Steenbergen has fueled the likes of Mollie O’Callaghan and Anna Moesch to blast something uniquely special.
200 Freestyle
Spitz’s World Record: 1:52.78
Women’s World Record: Ariarne Titmus – 1:52.23
Reflection: Of the four world records managed by Spitz in his final meet, the 200 freestyle is the only one which has been bettered by a woman. Ariarne Titmus clocked 1:52.23 at the 2024 Australian Olympic Trials in Brisbane, an effort that was a little more than a half-second faster than Spitz’s all-time best. Behind Titmus was Mollie O’Callaghan, who touched in 1:52.48 to also dip under the Spitz standard.
100 Butterfly
Spitz’s World Record: 54.27
Women’s World Record: Gretchen Walsh – 54.33
Reflection: During his career, Spitz set seven world records in the 100 butterfly, the last behind a performance of 54.27. American superstar Gretchen Walsh is pressing that standard, with her world record from this year’s Fort Lauderdale Open sitting at 54.33. Walsh is the only woman to crack the 55-second barrier and owns the 16-fastest times in history, but she has expressed a desire to break the 54-second threshold, which could be attainable at the upcoming Pan Pacific Championships in Southern California.
200 Butterfly
Spitz’s World Record: 2:00.70
Women’s World Record: Summer McIntosh – 2:01.65
Reflection: On the opening day of the Canadian Trials for the Pan Pacific Championships, Summer McIntosh achieved her longtime goal of breaking the world record in the 200 butterfly. After 16 years on the books at 2:01.81, Liu Zige’s super-suit record was wiped out when McIntosh checked in at 2:01.65. That time has McIntosh within a second of Spitz’s best and with the Canadian expected to be at her best at the Pan Pacific Champs, it would not be surprising if McIntosh flashed her immense talent with a swim for the ages – something in the 2:00 vicinity.
