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More Air
Trad climber
S.L.C.
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 3, 2010 - 09:40am PT
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The AP picked Tiger Woods...
Really? A golfer? It's just that golf seems like it should be more in the category of billiards, chess or curling.
I was thinking more like Lance Armstrong or Michael Phelps. A few climbers come to mind too.
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Rock!...oopsie.
Trad climber
the pitch above you
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I agree entirely (golf is a game, and requires only the most marginal levels of fitness). But it is the AP making this up, so I wouldn't be surprised if income derived and other irrelevant criteria were part of the consideration. Also Lance had the juicing controversy and Phelps had the weed controversy... those may be less palatable to AP than Tiger's weakness for skanky tail.
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J. Werlin
Trad climber
Cedaredge, CO
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off the cuff: Lance.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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Maybe with Tiger they weren't referring to Golf, obviously the guy can do push-ups all day long.
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pc
climber
East of Seattle
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Right. They're referring to selling newspapers and such. He's the man right now.
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Reeotch
Trad climber
Kayenta, AZ
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I'd put Tommy Caldwell right up there w/ Armstrong and Phelps.
Tiger?! Fugetaboutit . . .
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Let's not forget Mr. Bachar. . .
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Prod
Trad climber
Dodge Sprinter Dreaming
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Golf is a sport that requires flexibility and strength to excel as well as a ton of coordination and mental stamina.
Don’t forget fat people ride bikes and climb too.
Athlete of the decade? It is awful hard not to consider Lance. Phelps has not been getting it done for 10 years yet.
Prod.
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Reeotch
Trad climber
Kayenta, AZ
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Phelps has been getting it done for the past 10 years, at least. '08 was his second Olympics. And, swimmers don't get to that level overnight.
Even so, I'd still put Tommy before Phelps.
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Prod
Trad climber
Dodge Sprinter Dreaming
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Didn't know that about Phelps, he was only 15 10 years ago. Agreed on Tommy.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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I agree. Tommy is da Man!
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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I've been with my Old Man when he played 18 holes of golf in the morning, had lunch, and then played 18 more in the afternoon. He'll be 70 in May.
I doubt he could ride a bike up Alpe du Huez, even slowly.
Golf's not really even a sport, more like a series of contrived stunts and bar tricks.
I vote Armstrong.
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More Air
Trad climber
S.L.C.
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 3, 2010 - 12:47pm PT
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Phelps has more gold medals than any Olympic athlete in history. In addition to the Olympics, he dominated all of the world championships since he started winning in 2003.
Tommy Caldwell is also a great candidate.
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WBraun
climber
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Tommy is a nobody.
Rock climbers are nobody's.
Most athletes are nobody's.
For "Athlete of the Decade" by Associated Press, you need to be a somebody that makes money for the top of "Forbes 500".
And that's what it's all about.
Not this grandeur of illusion from some small coffee shop from nowhere USA that thinks it can change the world.
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Studly
Trad climber
WA
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So you have something against coffee Werner...
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apogee
climber
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Now that the moral playing field has been levelled, with both Armstrong & Woods having had dalliances that compromise their otherwise apparently sterling personalities, if one can accept the premise that golf is a sport equal to cycling, I'd have to give it to Woods.
I hate golf, and much prefer cycling, but in terms of impacts to the sport and overall popularity, Woods has had more impact. Sad, because I'd much rather see more Americans cycling than playing golf (as long as they don't ride where I like to ride).
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Reeotch
Trad climber
Kayenta, AZ
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Yeah, WBraun . . .
But IF we could look at it objectively, don't you think there some climbers who would make the short list based soley on their athletic achievements?
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Funny how only Americans seem to be considered...
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divad
Trad climber
wmass
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Kobyashi
Eating can be a sport too...
and everybody eats.
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