Video: 'Mark Spitz - Seven golds - Munich 1972 Olympic Games'

(Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 1972; during the 1972 Summer Olympics) — Mark Spitz, 22, became the first competitor to win seven gold medals at a single Olympic Games, swimming tonight as part of the American team in the 400-meter relay.

Spitz set a new world record in each of the seven events – 100-meter freestyle (51.22), 200-meter freestyle (1:52.78), 100-meter butterfly (54.27), 200-meter butterfly (2:00.70), 4×100-meter freestyle relay (3:26.42), 4×200-meter freestyle relay (7:35.78), and 4×100-meter medley relay (3:48.16).

Video: 'Mark Spitz - Seven golds - Munich 1972 Olympic Games'

Being Jewish, Spitz was asked to leave Munich before the closing ceremonies for his own protection, after fears arose that he would be an additional target of those responsible for the Munich massacre (Sep. 5-6, 1972).

Spitz’s record stood until 2008 when it was beaten by Michael Phelps who won eight gold medals in the pool.