Woods beats Armstrong to AP Athlete of the Decade award

by VeloNation Press at 10:20 AM EST

Categories: Pro Cycling

His private life may be in turmoil as the doctor who treated his knee injury has been arrested on suspicion of doping athletes, but Tiger Woods got a boost of sorts yesterday when he received a prestigious award. The news agency Associated Press voted him its athlete of the decade, beating seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong into second place.

Woods, who has dominated golf since he burst onto the scene, received 56 out of the 142 votes cast. Armstrong’s tally was 33, with tennis player Roger Federer (25), swimmer Michael Phelps (13), NFL player Tom Brady (6) and Usain Bolt (4) next in line.

Armstrong is currently training for what will be the second year of his comeback. He is now 38 years of age, but feels that with a year of hard racing under his belt, that he can step things up somewhat on his 2008 form. His aim is to take an eighth Tour title, and he has two more years to do it.

He initially said that he was likely to compete in 2009 and part of 2010, but recently stated that he planned to continue until the end of the 2011 season.

In contrast, Woods is taking a break from golf due to the marital issues he is facing. He is almost certain to return to the sport, but no timeframe for that has been announced.