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Tiger Woods Missed a Patriotic Opportunity That Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and Lindsey Vonn Created Millions From

Published 07/30/2022, 12:15 PM EDT

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via Reuters

When we talk about the greatest athletes of all time, what are the few names that pop up in your head? Obviously, the two “Michaels,” Jordan and Phelps are on the list. Some of you would go with Usain Bolt, Lindsey Vonn, Serena Williams, or perhaps the snowboarding legend Shaun White. Now that list might vary based on the sport you love or the athletes you fancy, but the top athletes in any sport will always be a part of that category. However, what are that one special privilege these above athletes have and the golf legend Tiger Woods doesn’t?

Well, as far as money is concerned, they all are handsomely rich. Furthermore, we can’t compare accolades because they represent different sports and thus have varied accomplishments under their name. Though there is one thing apart from Tiger Woods, all these athletes have in common.

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Tiger Woods is not an Olympian

Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, and Lindsey Vonn all have been seasoned Olympians. In fact, they are the most celebrated Olympians of all time. However, golf GOAT Tiger Woods couldn’t share this patriotic privilege with his fellow athletes. A major reason behind Woods not being an Olympian is that golf only was made a part of the Olympics in 2016 at Rio Games.

via Reuters

When officials from the International Golf Federation pitched their sport to the International Olympic Committee, “The very first question asked was, ‘Will Tiger Woods play?” It’s ironic how Woods’ stardom was the only reason golf made it to the Olympic stage, but he couldn’t be part of it himself.

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What went south for Woods at the Olympics?

In 2008, when the idea of golf was pitched to the IOC, Tiger Woods was in his prime, like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. At the moment, he was ranked number 1, 10th time in 11 years. A feat that made him unparalleled in the sport. However, in 2016, when golf was officially introduced at the Olympics, Woods was suffering from a back injury.

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When four years later the Olympics welcomed golf once again, he was involved in a horrific car accident which led to a severe head injury. Hence, he couldn’t take part in the Tokyo Games as well. Though he still might make it to the Olympics given he is in no mood to retire. When asked about retirement, the 46-year-old Tiger Woods replied, “Who? Me, retire? No, no, no, no. I’m not retiring,” Does that mean we would finally see him make his first Olympic appearance in Paris?

WATCH THIS STORY- Tiger Woods once asserted courageous Bryson DeChambeau as the future of golf

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Written by:

Saurav Panwar

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Saurav Panwar is a US Sports writer at EssentiallySports. A postgraduate in Media and Communication Studies, he shares a profound love for creative direction and filmmaking. Saurav is also an avid reader and a literature devotee whose fandom spreads from classics to sci-fi, non-fiction, plays, comics, and much more.
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Edited by:

Deepakshi Chaudhary