Learn English via Listening - Level 3 - Tiger Woods | Текст песни

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• Tiger Woods

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One of the most dramatic moments in golf occurred on April 13, 1997. On that day,
Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, at the young age of 21, won the prestigious Masters golf
tournament. Not only was Woods the youngest ever to perform the feat, Woods' score of
270 set a record for the tournament. His victory was also seen by many as a symbolic
victory over years of racism in the sport of golf, and U.S. society in general. Woods'
victory in 1997 came just two days after the fiftieth anniversary of the day American
baseball players broke the colour barrier in professional baseball. Also, Woods' victory
came in a sport long recognized for racial exclusion. The Augusta National Golf Club
excluded blacks from playing in the Masters tournament until 1975, and the Professional
Golfers Association only removed its "Caucasians only" rule in 1961.
Woods was born in the state of Florida in 1975. He rose to fame quickly, winning the US
amateur tournament from 1994-96, National Collegiate Athletic Association champion in
1996, and US Junior championship from 1991-1993. In the first year that Woods turned
professional, it is estimated that over $650 million (U.S.) in extra revenue was generated
in golf. Television ratings soared in the sport, and the Professional Golfers Association
negotiated huge contracts with American television networks as a result of Woods' fame.
Woods has also negotiated record-breaking private sponsorship deals with major firms
such as Nike, Buick, Titleist, American Express, and many others. In fact, Woods
negotiated deals in the millions even before he turned professional. Truly an international
sports celebrity, Woods sees himself as someone destined not only to be a great athlete,
but also a person who will have some significant social or political impact on the world. It
is not clear, however, what that impact will be. But there is little question that he will be
one of the, if not the, richest athletes in history. Woods is destined not just to be a multi-
millionaire, but a billionaire.
Heralded by some as the first black champion in a traditionally racially secluded sport,
he has also been received more cautiously by those who see the limitations of using
black sports stars as role models for youth. Only a tiny fraction of African Americans
have even a remote chance of becoming sports stars in any sport, especially golf. The
odds, in fact, are so small that there is a much greater chance of winning a lottery.
However, by some accounts as many as 80% of African American youth aspire to make a
living from playing sports. Meanwhile, 45% of African American children live below the
poverty line in the U.S.
If the trajectory of Woods' career continue on its current path, it is possible he will satisfy
his father's wishes for Tiger: "to make an impact on the world. . .it will be spiritual and
humanitarian and will transcend the world of golf."


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