I've just finished reading an online article about Mark Spitz. Apparently he was not invited to the Beijing Olympics. He is well aware that his record for gold in swimming may be broken this year and he feels slighted because he's not there.
Normally I'd sympathize with him in this matter. As the living holder of a record that many have now believe may be broken, it would seem like a good idea to have Spitz on hand for at least commentary. I say normally, because as it stands, I'm kinda glad he's not there.
The tone of his comments in the article seemed as if he was behaving in a very petty manner. He whines about not being invited, but doesn't say whether or not he attempted to attend on his own or even asked about getting in invitation. He whines that during the last Olympics they only paid attention to him after the record wasn't broken. Basically he whines about everything.
I realize he's only human, but it would seem that he would have learned some lessons in sportsmanship and team player mentality when he was a competitor. He doesn't once say that he's proud of Phelps for all his hard work to get to this point. (In fact he says that had they had a 50 meter race he would have had the chance to win 8 golds too) He compares Phelps as a copy of himself. I would have hoped he would have had words of encouragement instead of sniveling self serving drivel to say.
I once looked up to him. I do remember the '72 Olympics as a child and being proud of his accomplishment. Too bad he has aged into such a disappointment.
