The not so perfect 'Mr Perfect'

So Tiger Woods, the near perfect sportsman isn’t so perfect after all. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised though, after all the man is a professional sportsman, not a religious or community leader. He hasn’t deliberately sought out a high profile; it comes with the territory of success in professional sports. As a society we love it when the mighty fall, the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well in the 21st century. Tiger has proved himself to be fallible, a man in the most basic way with faults and failings like the rest of us and no amount of money or sporting success can change that.

Now I’m not defending his actions, in fact I find it very disappointing; however no more disappointing than I would for any other individual. I do though feel for the stress and pain these actions will now bring him and his family. Tiger, via his website, has bemoaned the lack of respect for his privacy as this incident has unfolded. Quite rightly he mentioned that “Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions”. Unfortunatley for Tiger and all other successful professional sportspeople, one of the first human rights to disappear in line with a higher public profile is that of personal privacy.

The force field of invincibility and professionalism that has surrounded Woods during his ascention to the throne of world golf is gone. Even the multimillion dollar Woods PR machine couldn’t put a posititive spin on this incident. As the week continues we will no doubt hear more revelations about the not so personal life of the worlds most famous sportsman. Perhaps Tiger should listen to the advice of one of his fellow professional golfers who himself has had a less than perfect public profile. Asked during a practice round for this weeks Australian Open to comment on the Woods drama, John Daly simply replied that “Tiger should just tell the truth”.

A caller to a talkback radio station this week noted that Gilllette will be be praying Roger Federer doesn’t have any skeletons in his closet. The company that invested millions of dollars in securing perhaps the worlds three most famous sportspeople, Woods, Federer and French soccer star Thierry Henry to represent its brand. Preceding the Woods incident, Henry’s now infamous ‘Hand of Frog’ incident in the world cup qualifier against Ireland has shown that even the best of the best are vunerable.

Perhaps the reason this incident has promoted so much discussion is that Golf is considered a gentlemans sport and Tiger has always presented himself as the ultimate gentleman, professional, available and courteous. Woods will bounce back. It’s likely he will remain the premier golfer on the planet for many years to come, however his image will forever be tarnished by this incident. Regardless of whether or not sportspeople wish to be considered role models for society is irrelevent, THEY ARE. Simply by virtue of the popularity of their field of excellence, successful sportsman will continue to be placed on a pedastal by the masses that worship their sport. Tiger Woods is neither the first nor the last big name to experience the negative side to success in sport.

Monday's Expert