I was watching the Olympics coverage last night and saw an interview of Mark Spitz, the Olympic swimmer whose record of 7 gold medals in a single Olympics is being chased by Michael Phelps in Beijing. For those that may not know much about Mark Spitz (like those that weren't even born when he captured the gold medals in Munich in 1972) he is considered one of the greatest athletes of his time, having won every event he entered in the 1972 Olympics and setting a world record in each. It was an amazing feat, not matched in decades, which makes Phelps attempt to break it that much more captivating.
But despite Spitz's fame in the pool, he unfortunately was also remembered as someone that tried too hard to capitalize on his Olympic fame. Americans are funny, we like a hero, a great 
athlete, but we want them to have some humility, to eat a little of the humble pie. Mark Spitz appeared to have none of that and quickly turned off an admiring nation. His movie-star good looks were loved by the ladies, but he never captured the love and hearts of America. He was too brash, too cocky, he seemed to have the attitude that we should be honored to be in his presence. Of course I never met the man personally, so this may not be his true nature, but given his lack of success in his post-Olympic period, I'm confident many folks agreed with my feeling toward the Olympic champion.
athlete, but we want them to have some humility, to eat a little of the humble pie. Mark Spitz appeared to have none of that and quickly turned off an admiring nation. His movie-star good looks were loved by the ladies, but he never captured the love and hearts of America. He was too brash, too cocky, he seemed to have the attitude that we should be honored to be in his presence. Of course I never met the man personally, so this may not be his true nature, but given his lack of success in his post-Olympic period, I'm confident many folks agreed with my feeling toward the Olympic champion.So seeing him on TV, his iconic black mustache and long hair replaced with short salt & pepper hair and sans a mustache was a little odd. The interviewer was asking him the obvious questions about Phelps quest and how it makes Spitz feel to possibly see his long-standing record fall. Spitz response was interesting. He looked tired, tired of the questions, tired of the notoriety, tired of the burden of being the only man to have won 7 gold medals in a single Olympics. He said he was ready to pass the title on to Phelps. To let him carry the charge now. To deal with the media, the pressure, the demands on his time.
But at the same time he had this underlying tone of never wanting to give up the title, of loving the fame, of having grown old with the comfort, the sense of being special, having something that no one else had. It had defined Mark Spitz, his life, his world and while he knew it was time, that he needed to let it go for the betterment of others, to let someone else carry the flag now, you could see a deep, deep part of him never wanted it to happen. It was noticeable in his eyes.
As an ardent Lord of the Rings fan, it struck me oddly reminiscent of Bilbo Baggins. the hobbit from the Shire, and his relationship with the Ring. Bilbo, having found the Ring deep in the heart
of the Misty Mountains, was forever bound to it and it's mysterious powers. He used it's powers to help him and his friends slay Smaug the Dragon and thus win an immense fortune, which allowed him to return to the Shire a wealthy man. There he led a good life, but was always burdened by the presence of the Ring. He could never escape it's tentacles. He loved it and the pleasures it brought, but also knew there would come a time when he'd have to let it go. It began to weigh heavy on him and he longed to be out from under the power of it.
of the Misty Mountains, was forever bound to it and it's mysterious powers. He used it's powers to help him and his friends slay Smaug the Dragon and thus win an immense fortune, which allowed him to return to the Shire a wealthy man. There he led a good life, but was always burdened by the presence of the Ring. He could never escape it's tentacles. He loved it and the pleasures it brought, but also knew there would come a time when he'd have to let it go. It began to weigh heavy on him and he longed to be out from under the power of it. Thus when Gandalf, the Wizard came and had Bilbo give the Ring to Frodo to be destroyed, he understood this on a logical, outward level. He acknowledged and supported the decision. But when it came time to actually give up the ring, to physically turn it over to Frodo, he couldn't. He fought it and a mean, terrible side of him came out. Only by Gandalf exerting his power and demanding it did he give it up.
That's what I was seeing in Mark Spitz's eyes and tone. He was like Bilbo, knowing it is time to pass his burdensome fame to Phelps, but deep down not ever wanting to let go of it. I find it fascinating how close to Tolkiens tale is the real life drama playing out today.
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