Tiger Woods to Speak at Obama Event
The sports world is buzzing that Tiger Woods could return to the P.G.A. Tour sooner than expected. But before that, perhaps due to extra time for contemplation he’s had while recuperating from last year’s knee surgery, Mr. Woods will make his debut on that extra long green that is the National Mall. The champion golfer, who has previously avoided making political statements, has accepted an invitation to speak at a pre-inauguration ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday.
“I am honored that I was invited to this historic event and look forward to participating in Sunday’s festivities,” Mr. Woods said in a statement on his Web site.
Mr. Woods has generally demurred when asked to make any sort of political statement. In 1997, at the age of 21, he famously declined an invitation from former President Bill Clinton to attend a ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson at Shea Stadium, opting instead to go on vacation in Mexico.
However, when asked about Mr. Obama’s election in November, Mr. Woods called it “absolutely incredible.”
He told CNBC: “He represents America, he’s multi-racial, and I was hoping it would happen in my lifetime. My father was hoping it would happen in his lifetime. He didn’t get to see it, but I’m lucky enough to see a person of color in the White House.”
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/tiger-woods-to-speak-at-obama-event/
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