Landis = Athlete | Tiger Woods = Not | Discuss

Tiger's as much of an athlete as Floyd is, he's just a different kind of athlete. If VO2 max was the only measure of value for an athlete, then sports as we know it would not exist. There'd be no ball sports (well, maybe soccer), and the media would only cover endurance sports. Not that I'm saying that's bad, but it would make fall Saturdays pretty boring.

Edit: plus, Tiger's story yesterday was a pretty good one, with that being his first victory after his dad died. 

Yes, as someone else said, you just answered your own question. NEXT!

Remember the old ABC show, In the 70s?  Superstars (?) .  Who was the best Athlete.  A Pole Vaulter Bob Seagren won the first event.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstars

Tiger does scuba diving, and other adventerous stuff.

I would say that Landis is far better shape aerobicly than Tiger.  Bad hip though.

I would like to see the golfers carry their own clubs.  What's with the gunga din caddies.

Or Speed golf, where you have to run to the ball, whack it and get running again.  Play 18 as fast as possible.

Also look how much money Tiger won vs. how much Floyd won.

Golf as a whole is a lot more popular in the world than cycling is. Yes I am sure there are lots of people lining the streets for the TDF but look at the over all weekly attendance of the BO or US open and I am sure there are more people there watching. Plus we know on tv, that is why the TDF is on OLN and BO on NBC.

So then, for instance, are all triathletes athletes?

I have to disagree... Although they are walking the course instead of running it, is that what you think makes them not be a athlete?
Next time you have nothing to do on a hot Friday afternoon (or rainy for that matter) go down to your local driving range and beat some balls for about 4 hours.
Just because some of the guys are big bone (Tim Herron, john daily) doesnt mean that they are not fit in there own way. the golf swing is a very unnatual motion and you have to have muscles and be fit in that area to have your back hold up after years and years of putting yourself into those motions that make up the golf swing.
Plus for those of you that have actually been on a golf course, most of the courses are not flat. So imagine walking a hilly golf course that measures at least 4.3 miles everyday, sometimes sunny, sometimes in a pouring rain.

Do I think they are as athletic as triathlets... No, but I do not think that race car drivers are any less a athlete either. some triathletes would faint of heat exuastion in a car with the heat some of those drivers deal with.

Comparing golf to cycling is like comparing apples to oranges.  They're both fruit, but just different types.  Golf and cycling are 2 totally different sports .  I've golfed before, and it's not easy.  I would walk 9 holes carrying my clubs in the middle of summer- that was a workout itself.  I coudln't even imagine walking 18 holes.  Surprisingly I was sore the next day in all places.  And...golf takes a lot "skill" per say.  Cycling requires more "athletic" ability, though straetgy and bike handling skills come into play as well.  Kinda of the same but not quite.  I don't think just anyone can pick up a golf club and play like Tiger Woods.  If that were the case then I'd still be golfing and you would see me on tv  

As much as I think golf is boring to watch on tv, I know that it's not an easy sport to pick up.  With that said, Tiger Woods is athlete and so is Landis.  They're just athletes in different ways.

A pro golfer doesn't put themselves through the stress that a pro cyclist does, but a pro cyclist also doesn't put themselves throug the stress a pro golfer does either!

Try walking 18 holes and see if your score is anything close to what Tiger shoots.  Then we can discuss...

July's totals:

Bike: 6h 37m - 271.43 Mi
Run: 5h 4m - 25.2 Mi
Swim: 39m 30s - 2583.18 M
Walking 30m

Post less, train more.  Just an idea.