Golfers are Athletes?
 

Not sure what to think.

Lance Armstrong, 7 time Tour de France winner. A race of over 2000 miles, considered the most grueling physical event on the Planet, done by a man who was as good as dead from cancer, with tumors throughout all his internal organs and brain, doing more for cancer research probably more than any one single person ever, and he gets bumped by a golfer?

:huh

Up next; Bowling

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

I know! But Lance didnt earn a billion dollars.

Its all about the Benjamins

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

I think part of it may be that this is a list from an American perspective. I'm not the biggest golf fan in the world, but I think that golf is infinitely more popular in America than competetive biking. That's not to take anything from Lance's achievements in his chosen sport. I think the fact that he was second is a testament to how he as an individual has transcended his sport in America.
If you take Lance off the table, the average American would be hard-pressed to name three active professional bikers. I think that affects things like this.

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

Greg LeMond
Levi Leipheimer
Tyler Hamilton

and just to toss in some extra

George Hancapie

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

Stew said average American, Ferd. And we know you are not average. :D

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

...


Floyd Landis!

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

So true. Money talks.

Still can't figure though, how golf ties into this. I've played golf many times in past years, and the sport can be accomplished by those who don't stick to personal fitness.

Not saying golfers aren't fit, but the point is, you don't win the Tour UNLESS you're fit.

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

Even though I'm a cyclist, this isn't really about cycling too me. It's about being the Athlete of the Decade. This is prestigous, and personally, I think the person selected should be unsurpassed in physical ability and endurance.

I just don't see golf as the type of sport that resembles the extremes great athletes endure, even though I know it's tuff to hit the little white ball out of a sand trap.

Again, this is just my opinion. :santathumb

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

I know what you are saying. I also know plenty of golfers who do not seem like an athelete to me. That having been said, golf has been defined as a sport for better or worse and its participants as atheletes. Given that, in my opinion the award is basically for the most celebrated person in the recognized sports world. There are probably quite a few atheletes that could make a case...Lance would certainly be among them.
Obviously, the guys in the individual sports have an advantage...and the bigger the sport, the bigger the advantage.

Re: Golfers are Athletes?
 

LOL.. I said "active" for a reason. I was talking about current professional bikers. I consider myself a sports fan, but I'm sure I would have to google a list of 3 active bikers. Of course I've heard of Lemond and Hamilton. Leipheimer I would not recognize anywhere.