|
Chat Reel: Mark Spitz
Olympic legend champions cause against high cholesterol
Latest: Friday August 25, 2000 03:36 PM
| |
Mark Spitz won seven gold medals and set seven world records in the 1972 Olympics. Ken Levine/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to our chat with seven-time gold medal winner Mark Spitz. Thanks for joining us Mark.
Mark Spitz: Thank you, I am pleased to be here.
From Todd Levitt in Torrance, Calif.: What are your thoughts on the state of American swimming today? And is it true that you are coaching a masters swim team?
Mark Spitz: Well my thoughts on American swimming are that our prospects look favorable, but we may not have as strong a showing in the gold medal count as in previous Olympics. But I am not coaching. There are times I might coach one or two workouts a year when the regular coach gets caught in traffic.
From David Burns in the United Kingdom: What steps did you take to bring your cholesterol under control?
Mark Spitz: First of all, you need to have a cholesterol test to see what your levels are. You need to consult with a doctor to see whether you need to change your lifestyle. In my case, when my lifestyle was pretty good--I ate foods low in cholesterol and fat and exercised three or four times a week. I wasn't able to lower my cholesterol so they put me on a statin drug. It is called lipitor. I was able to lower my level in about 30 days from above 300 to below 200. The results may vary from person to person. That is why it is mandatory to consult with a doctor to determine what to do.
From Sandy: How are you feeling?
Mark Spitz: I am feeling great. And if you have high cholesterol, you would feel the same as if you had low cholesterol because there are no side effects, no symptoms of having high cholesterol. That's why it is called the 'silent risk factor' to heart disease. And heart disease is the leading cause of death among American men and women in this.
From Alan McDaniel in Denver: Mark, I've heard stories about your amazing natural swimming talent in your youth. Did you put in extensive hours when you were under twelve years old? And do you believe we over train and pressure our younger swimmers these days?
Mark Spitz: In my day, at 12 years old, which was 38 years ago, we worked out in summer months for two and a half hours. Today someone in that age group might work out for four hours, two hours in the morning and two at night. The only side effect of too much training is that you get into better shape. There is nothing wrong with that.
From Phil: Do you recommend a special diet?
Mark Spitz: I am not qualified to talk about the diet. Simply because I am not a dietician.
From David Morse in Princeton, N.J.: Mark, in an interview you gave recently, you said, and I paraphrase, that you won your races before you ever hit the water by making the other swimmers believe they were swimming for second. It appears that Ian Thorpe has achieved the same mental edge as you. Could you elaborate on the mental side of winning?
Mark Spitz: Yes, I believe that the art of winning is through intimidation, and not necessarily do you have to speak about it. Past performance speaks a tremendous amount about one's ability and likelihood for success.
CNNSI Host: From Mike Jordan in Jackson, Miss.: Mark, how honored were you that you were voted Athlete of the Century in water sports by Sports Illustrated?
Mark Spitz: I was one of the 'Top Five Olympians of the Century' I believe. I was honored. It is not an event that you compete for, that is an event that someone honors you for your career.
From Tony Harper in Sydney, Australia: Australian coach Don Talbot thinks Ian Thorpe can be the next swimmer of the century. What do you think about the "Thorpedo"? And if you met him what advice would you have for him on handling a big program and all the pressure?
Mark Spitz: Well, it's hard to say if he will be swimmer of the century since we are in the first year and there are 99 more years. And he is just in the first swings of his career -- time will tell, I hate to use a cliché. But to be swimmer of the century you need to set yourself aside from doing something special, from the ordinary. In my case it was winning seven gold medals and seven world records in the 1972 Olympics, along with having a career of 35 world records and dominating my events for six years. To be recognized as great is the culmination of a career, not a specific event. So we will have to wait and see, for Ian Thorpe. And yes I know him.
From Jacqui Yu in Trenton, Mich.: In comparison with times you swam, how do you think technology and nutrition have helped the competition break world and American records?
Mark Spitz: Certainly we know a lot more about nutrition and eating healthy foods. As for the swim suits, I am not sure the verdict is out, whether they are fast or slow. If fast suits make fast swimmers than I am buying a set of Tiger Woods' golf clubs...Watch out Tiger!
From Dave: Mark When I lived in Singapore in 1980 you came to my school and spent the day with our swim team. Do you recall the experience? How did that experience come about?
Mark Spitz: I was in Singapore and I had made several appearances and I was doing a promotional tour, which brought me there. It was a beautiful place. I would love to go back, soon.
From Bud: Mark, it's Bud. Do you think there is a swimmer today who is capable of your feat in Munich?
Mark Spitz: Of course, the swimming events are still out there to be won, but nobody at this Olympics will challenge that record.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks for all of the great questions, sorry we couldn't get to them all. Mark thanks for joining us.
Mark Spitz: Thank you for having me! I am a big Internet fan.
|
Copyright © 2001
CNN/Sports Illustrated
An AOL Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
|
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.
|
| 
