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Another heralded confrontation of champions will not come off: the long-awaited pole-vault duel between Bob Seagren of the U.S. and Sweden's Kjell Isakkson, who failed to qualify for the final because of a leg injury. Seagren had his problems even without Isakkson's competition. His and his teammates' new poles were confiscated the night before the trials started on the grounds that they were too sophisticated for Olympic competition. Thus the handsome young Californian had to qualify with a pole he had previously abandoned. In other track and field events, the U.S. will be below its traditional Olympic strength. America has the weakest women's track team since before World War II, and the quadrennial Yankee domination of the dashes, high and long jumps is under serious attack from athletes of many countries, notably the determined Russians, Africans and East Germans. Two seemingly solid U.S. bets: handsome Steve Prefontaine of Eugene, Ore., in the 5,000-meter run, and the 1,600-meter relay team featuring U.S.C.'s John Smith and 1968 Gold Medal Winner Lee Evans.
As for Mark Spitz, any interest he takes in the proceedings will be nothing more than vestigial chauvinism. His battle is ended, his booty won; Spitz will swim no more. What, after all, is left for him to conquer? His feat will likely never be repeated; a move is already under way way—pressed by the Europeans and resisted by the Americans and Australians—to cut down on the number of swimming events (and thus medals) on the theory that the skills required are repetitive. Said Spitz before the games: "I want to win at Munich and then quit. I never swam for glory, only the satisfaction of being recognized as the best in the world." Beyond all doubt, he has achieved that goal.