as far as the "fancy stuff" Speedo Speed suits etc., were not in play then for everyone, so just like today, it is a level playing field. All the swimmers have the same situation.

In my opinion, the feats of Micheal Phelps are earth shattering. Not only did he take 8 gold medals in 8 events, but he also took 7 world records and 1 Olympic record doing it.

Also. Lets not forget that Mark Spitz did only two strokes (freestyle and Butterfly I think), while Michael Phelps does them all.

Not to minimize Mark Spitz's ackomplishments, who's record has stood unchallenged for 36 years.

I would say that Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympic Athlete of the modern era.