"Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of color way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama.

VOA: standard.2009.06.27

Their icons might be Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Colin Powell or Maya Angelou.

CNN: Analysis: Obama a symbol of progress, change

Bob Costas has already advised Phelps on air that he bids fair to join Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods as a consecrated American demigod.

NPR: Mr. Phelps' Mission: Saving U.S. At The Olympics

The other two were Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

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