Report Says Spitz Plans Comeback

Mark Spitz, who won an all-time record seven gold medals in the 1972 Olympics, will try to qualify for the 1992 Games in the 100-meter butterfly, according to a published report.

A story in USA Today quoted Spitz, 39, as saying he is training for the U.S. Olympic Trials, which will be held in 2 1/2 years.

Spitz, who will be 42 when the next Olympics are held in Barcelona, said: “I don’t really call this a comeback because I left this sport at the top. I want to swim the next three years like there’s no tomorrow and, to me, that would be the accomplishment.”

Spitz not only won seven gold medals in Munich 17 years ago, he set seven world records. But he will focus on the 100-meter butterfly for 1992.

Spitz won the gold medal in the 100 butterfly in 1972 in 54.27 seconds, a time which would have been eighth-best at the 1988 Games.

U.S. Swimming officials confirmed that Spitz was reinstated as an eligible competitor by FINA, the governing body for world aquatic sports.