The 50 Greatest Athletes To Ever Walk The Planet

49. Mark Spitz

Image Source:Rzepka/ullstein bild via Getty Images

Appropriately nicknamed “Mark The Shark,” Spitz glided through the water like a great white stalking his prey. In 1972, Spitz became the first athlete to win seven gold medals at the same Olympics, setting world records in each event. In a monstrous four-year span, Spitz set 35(!) world records. There are those questioning whether he may have originated from some sort of aquatic animal (or that he was just blessed with a ridiculous ability in the pool).