Michael Phelps vs Tiger Woods

On USA Swimming's website there is a link to SI.COM where a poll is being run to determine who is the greatest American athlete. This is absolutely one of the most ridiculous polls of all time but perhaps some of you would like to vote or even watch the laughable debate on their video. I agree Matt, it's so stupid. Like those Ali vs Graciano computer calculated fights...at least you could argue they are in the same sport... I hate this ranking BS.

One of the more ridiculous comparisons I have ever seen.

Please don't be offended if you are a golfer....BUT....Golf is nowhere near a measure of "athleticism"! It is definitely a skill, but not "athletic". Michael Phelps wins hands down!

.......... in what? Pole-vault Javelin Artistic Ice Skating .............this list could be endless. Each is a GrandMaster in his own field.

Golfers are in good shape (my ex-boyfriend is a professional golfer, and they do have be in good shape to play at that level)) I certainly wouldn't say that the second best golfer in the world, Phil Michaelson (I don't know how to spell it), is in "good shape". In fact, many of the best ones to me look very unfit.

I think that Tiger with his weight lifting and "off the course" regimen has helped raise the overall fitness level of the players. It certainly isn't as bad as the olden days when they would smoke cigarettes while waiting to tee off.

It depends on what they're comparing. If they're comparing what they've done for the sport, then it's really hard to pick. They've both done incredibly things in terms of promotion and recognition of their respective sports. In terms of athelticism, Phelps wins hands down. Golfers are in good shape (my ex-boyfriend is a professional golfer, and they do have be in good shape to play at that level), but swimming is definatley harder than chasing a little white ball around. Stupid little white ball.......never goes straight either, I think they rig them at the factory.... ;)

I certainly wouldn't say that the second best golfer in the world, Phil Michaelson (I don't know how to spell it), is in "good shape". In fact, many of the best ones to me look very unfit. Maybe 'decent' would have been a better word. But they have to have at least a little muscle to power the ball that far. I still think the majority are in good shape though. Vijah Syng (sp) and the guy who wears hot pink pants (don't know his name) seem to be in decent enough shape. I'd say the younger golfers are in better shape then the older ones, but that seems to happen to anyone regardless of sport or not as they get older.

Cincinnati Kid?(aka Steve McQueen champion poker player), Al Unser Sr. and Jr., Mario Andretti father, son and grandson...the list is huge. billy fanstone

Kyra- we certainly seem to be the sport with the most gripe-y aches and pains! We also seem to be the sport most guaranteed to put non-participants to sleep while we earnestly try to explain to them the importance of Phelp's feats, Lochte's upset of Piersol, Hackett's lack of form etc. Thank goodness for the forums to share our enthusiasm and occasional angst for the sport we love.