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How Sweden Is Covering Tiger and Elin
Shaun Best / Reuters
How is the media in Elin's home country covering the Tiger Woods scandal? By calling for its native daughter to “swing it again.” Katarina Andersson on why the sex scandal is enraging the Swedes.
Even in Sweden, a country known for its liberal views on sex, the Tiger Woods scandal is generating an enormous amount of attention. Swedes, of course, have their own player in the drama: the beautiful, Greta Garbo-cool, Stockholm-born Elin Nordegren, Woods' wronged wife. The outpouring of Elin support in the Swedish media has been massive, with Swedes rallying behind their girl just as loudly as they'd cheer for the national soccer team in a World Championship match.
One Swedish journalist says, “We’re hoping Elin will file for divorce and show Tiger—and the world—what Swedish women stand for.”
“Swing it again, Elin!” wrote Jan Helin, editor in chief of Aftonbladet, the country's biggest newspaper, on his personal blog. One of the paper's top reporters, Ann Söderlund, proclaimed, “Thank God for girls like Elin. Next time, I hope she uses a bigger club."
Britta Svensson, a well-known columnist at the tabloid Expressen and a former U.S.-based correspondent, commented, “Our Swedish hearts are overwhelmed with pride, because our very own Elin didn’t take any s—. Just like a tough Swedish girl shouldn't. Elin is our heroine.”
• Abby Ellin: Can a New Cub Save Tiger’s Marriage?
• Gerald Posner: Inside Tiger’s Double Life There's been an equal torrent of anger toward Tiger himself. Lasse Anrell, a star columnist at Aftonbladet, says that Tiger should at least be man enough to use the correct words for what he's done. “'Transgressions', 'infidelity' and 'hiatus' are not good enough,” wrote Anrell. “I have a suggestion for him. Here's a word that he should add to his vocabulary: 'sex addict.' That's S-E-X-A-D-D-I-C-T, Tiger." Anrell went on to advise Woods to get a copy of Woman of a Casanova, a recently published Swedish book about sex addiction, suggesting that perhaps his mother-in-law could read it out loud to him.
• Full coverage of the Tiger Woods scandal Considering that Sweden is a peaceful country—it has been more than 200 years since the nation has been involved in a war—this sudden support for domestic violence comes off as a bit odd. Then again, the culture of child-rearing in Sweden makes sure that girls have a strong sense of self. "Swedish women like Elin are brought up to be independent and strong,” explains Karin Magnusson, the op-ed editor for Aftonbladet, "and you can only stand for just so much humiliation. We're excited about this. We're hoping Elin will file for divorce and show Tiger—and the world—what Swedish women stand for."
Commentators also think that the fact that Tiger has reportedly increased the payout in his prenup, offering Elin millions more if she stays with him for two more years, is thoroughly repugnant. In Sweden, when a couple divorce, things are split 50-50—prenups and divorce lawyers are almost unheard of. "We don't connect love with money," says columnist Britta Svensson. "The new prenup agreement makes Tiger come off as a fake person, almost mean. Does he really think she'd stay because he is showing her the money?"
Whether or not Elin Nordegren is going to ditch her husband remains to be seen. There are rumors that Elin has already taken off her wedding band and might be on her way to Sweden right now. Or maybe she’s already there. A private plane, co-owned by Woods' company ETW, was spotted landing at a small Swedish airport this morning, the pilot explaining that he was there for some kind of “pick up” later this week. Swedish media also reported that the lights were on in the Woods’ family apartment in Stockholm late last night.
What the Swedes definitely don't want is for Elin to revert to celebrity martyr behavior like Posh Spice did when she and Becks were having problems or as they feel Hillary Clinton did when she chose to stand by her man.
"It would be very surprising if Elin decided to stay with Tiger in the current situation," says Karin Magnusson, "or to do something like grant an interview to Oprah. If that winds up being the case, she has become too American."
Katarina Andersson is a New York-based freelance reporter for Swedish Broadcasting. She previously hosted a popular radio talk show in Sweden and covered politics, economy, and arts for numerous Scandinavian media outlets in the U.S. She lives in Brooklyn with her son.
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Katarina Andersson is a New York-based freelance reporter for Swedish Broadcasting. She previously hosted a popular radio talk show in Sweden and covered politics, economy, and arts for numerous Scandinavian media outlets in the U.S. She lives in Brooklyn with her son.
etienne4747
Tiger is and always will be totally toxic. She and the children must escape as quickly as possible.
Czarkazem13
LOL! What?
XmenII
Ahh Sweden, FOS. Scandinavians, Swedes in particular are the most promiscuous group of people I have ever been around. I dare not count the number of times drunken Swedish girls have thrown off their clothes or gotten on their knees before me. Married, engaged, partnered or otherwise. there is an unspoken rule in Scandinavia about marraige. Generally people dont do it.. because cheating is so endemic that people dont see the point. And Vikings love to keep their options open. Sure Tiger screwed up.. But who would Elin be without Tiger. No one.. and I for one believe it would be safe to say that Elin would have either cheated or been cheated on and divorced a no body by this time.. Its sad to believe that seasoned journalists have nothing better to do than comment on idle gossip coming from the hollywood dirt machine... they should go to Afghanistan and report the news.. who cares wat they think.
Pupster
Way to make ridiculous unfounded generalizations. Why attack Scandanavians? To justify your boy Tiger's bad behavior? Well, you sound like a fool.
Who would Elin be without Tiger? Maybe happy. Maybe not publicly humiliated. He's good at golf and has a lot of money, but that doesn't allow him to break a marriage vow he voluntarily made with impunity. He wronged her. Now he has to face the consequences.
newswoman
What a braggart, XmenII. I hope Elin divorces Tiger, he has made it impossible to be forgiven. For her own self respect, she needs to make her own life and meet a man who will love and appreciate her. What do you mean, "who would Elin be without Tiger"? She doesn't need him to be somebody. He's the one who is in trouble without her. He is a whoremonger and seems to be addicted to sex.
He will eventually come back into public life, but it won't be the same for him, and we won't enjoy his golf as much as we used to. He blew it big time!
joymars
Agreed.
oliverckerr
Pupster / Newswoman
I agree. Sex addiction and money make for a sour soup.
michaelslevinson.com
oliverckerr
We believed he was a talented dedicated decent guy who worked very hard to be the best at his game so he deserved a billion dollars!
The ad people built what gthey thought a money making image.
But in light of his actual life style and value system, all the money in the world cannot repurchase our imagined friendship and admiration, the price poor Tiger will pay for years, years for his quest, the perfect fit, that locker room tale about puss of puss that ultimate traveler's once-in-a-lifetime matching curvature for him never found in a hundred hotels or Perkins parking lots.
michaelslevinson.com
DCMediagirl
Who would Elin be without Tiger? What? She's not a publicity hound like some athlete's wives (I'm looking at YOU, Victoria Beckham). What makes you think she's an attention hound? I'm guessing she'd trade the money to have her privacy and dignity back.
Veronicaxy
I'm no expert but I have to say when I was traveling as a student in Europe my blond friend was constantly approached and asked if she was from Scandinavia, a couple of disappointed guys explained those women were notoriously 'available' while traveling.
Storeboughtjam
How do you know Elin would be "no one" without Tiger, or would be a cheat or cheatee if married to someone else. What a ridiculous assertion. Elin's twin sister is a very successful lawyer who also trained as an economist, and her entire immediate family is also very successful. There is no reason to believe she wouldn't have followed suit, especially since she had already begun a program in psychology at a prestigious Swedish university when her life was interrupted by the Tiger.
busogan
prestigious swedish university??? please... the high point of swedish civilization was reached when they sent out vicious, murderous pirates who raped and pillaged green albion and other parts of the world. oh., maybe the institution where mr. noble learnt to blow up things.
lay off Tiger. he may not have been a good boy but he hasn't robbed anyone nor murdered anyone unlike the ancestors of these swedish hypocrites critizing him in the article.
Re-Horakhty
I I'm an ex-New Yorker who's lived in Sweden for 8 months. I couldn't disagree more with the writer. Swedes are not a peaceful people (Many laundered money and enlisted with the Nazis during WW2), indeed the Swedes are feminized.
I have seen tons of Swedish women dating or living with men who are not Swedes, since Swedish men are known to be docile, effeminate, and wishy-washy. Though I think Tiger's wife has a right to be upset (only if Tiger and her did not have a agreement that he could see other women), she has children by him and that alone makes her special. She should keep that in mind and disregard all the chatter coming out from jealous men who wish they had the options Tiger Woods is presented with on a daily basis, or bitter, single, divorced, or delusional feminist.
Men who are men will always want another woman, it's our nature (keep it honest guys she won't go anywhere). As for Swedish women being promiscuous I will tell you that I see it everyday. Their innocent act is good but Swedish women are the biggest tramps in Europe. Could it be because the Swedes don't believe in an afterlife (God). May be they should start believing in Oden again.
Anyway if Tiger 's wife is smart she will stick with Tiger. Since from the look of it she's average at best and plus she has two brown babies that need their father in their life. I don't foresee any legit basketball player making her his wife so she better weather the storm.
Pupster
"Men who are men will always want another woman, it's our nature (keep it honest guys she won't go anywhere)."
You are sad, and wrong. Some women might not leave a man who cheats -- the weak ones -- but many, the ones worth having, will.
Elin would be perfectly fine on her own with "two brown babies." Plus, she's smart and gorgeous. She likely won't be alone for long, if she chooses.
pclayton
And she is a rich woman. I'm pretty sure that money makes women even more attractive to men (even in Sweden) and she has the looks to go with it. She could do far better than her adolescent husband and she will if she so choses. I am impressed by her not participating in the whole scandal; shows that her chief interest is her children and not herself. Far more than you can say for her adulterous spouse.
tamcho
Over 80% of divorces in the US are initiated by women, so I guess women are pretty good at walking, when its clear the situation is hopeless.
deegeezee
you're definitely a New Yorker, and thus a complete jerk. how about that for a generalization?
and "brown babies?" wow, just wow.
joymars
Agreed.
Re-Horakhty
I'm an ex-New Yorker who's lived in Sweden for 8 months. I couldn't disagree more with the writer. Swedes are not a peaceful people (Many laundered money and enlisted with the Nazis during WW2), indeed the Swedes are feminized.
I have seen tons of Swedish women dating or living with men who are not Swedes, since Swedish men are known to be docile, effeminate, and wishy-washy. Though I think Tiger's wife has a right to be upset (only if Tiger and her did not have a agreement that he could see other women), she has children by him and that alone makes her special. She should keep that in mind and disregard all the chatter coming out from jealous men who wish they had the options Tiger Woods is presented with on a daily basis, or bitter, single, divorced, or delusional feminist.
Men who are men will always want another woman, it's our nature (keep it honest guys she won't go anywhere). As for Swedish women being promiscuous I will tell you that I see it everyday. Their innocent act is good but Swedish women are the biggest tramps in Europe. Could it be because the Swedes don't believe in an afterlife (God). May be they should start believing in Oden again.
Anyway if Tiger 's wife is smart she will stick with Tiger. Since from the look of it she's average at best and plus she has two brown babies that need their father in their life. I don't foresee any legit basketball player making her his wife so she better weather the storm.
By the way I hardly see this story being covered on Swedish T.V, Aftonbladet is a rag.
humanrights
Please tell us more Re-Horakhty. I think you are nearly spot on. What happened to the Swedish men? And I have seen many Scandanavian women target non-Scandanavian men.
As a race, I agree that they are far from peaceful. That's a myth they project to the world. Just ask Sylvestore Stallone about his first marriage. They are all still Vikings from my experience, especially the women. I have been on the wrong end of a Danish woman in London and no one would believe what she has done to me. As an American, I have been stunned by her behavior. So has her English/German partner. He won't marry her and is scared of her, even though he is the one with all the money and lots of it. Sounds a bit like Tiger to think of it.
The tabloid headlines in Sweden reveal their true nature. They seem to think domestic violence is okay and necessary to keep your man in check. This is not being strong; it is being cowardly and it is illegal in most civilized countries. I would like to know what the law is on this in Sweden.
Contrary to what the writer of this article says, my experience with Swedes and Danes is that they are more into money than Americans. A Swedish man confirmed this to me. The women are also very possessive and controlling and I am sure that has been a problem in Tiger's marriage. You cannot tell most American men what to do.
As the writer lives in the US, I think she should own up to what her race is really like. The Scandanavians are very different from the world's image of them as peace loving people. They may not have fought a war recently, but think of what they did to England 1,000 years ago. Anyone with ancestors like that is not peace loving. It is not in their genes. They are well known for raping and pillaging. Many people in Europe complain about Americans and often to us directly. We take it on the chin and accept that there are many around the world who do not like us.
That brings me to another one of their traits I find difficult to deal with: their pride. They do not like being humiliated and appear to seek revenge if they are. They seem to have a particular hang-up about it and will never let the person who humiliated them forget it. Hence, Elin allegedly phoning some of the mistresses and screaming at them to stay away from her man. Most American women would have already been out the door.
As I write this I am beginning to think Tiger wanted to get caught as a way to get out of his marriage....over to the next one to comment.
joymars
P. U.!
DCMediagirl
Who gives a damn whether she's Swedish or Somali? A woman deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If her "husband" wanted to disperse his manly seed with no consequences he shouldn't have gotten married.
But trying to reason with you is a waste of time, as evidenced by your "brown baby" comment. Stay classy "Re-Horakhty."
ieuuwz
"In Sweden, when a couple divorce, things are split 50-50"
Well, this is true in many U.S. states also ... unless you're including unmingled property that predates the marriage?! Certainly Sweden doesn't give a spouse 50 percent of everything someone acquired before marriage?
cook1974
Oh my god, if I read another blanket statement, for either side, I'm never coming to this mother F*$#ing site again.
mdreader
Feminism is a double-edged sword. If Elin was raised to be a "strong woman" she was also raised to know that there are consequences for one's actions.
Setting Tiger's transgressions aside, the US authorities are investigating whether she beat him with a golf club. That is domestic violence, plain and simple.
The domestic violence accusations are real and are not going away. I believe this complicates whatever talk there might be of divorce or separation at this point.
Both Tiger and Elin need to start acting like adults and parents of small children because way too much is at stake.
newswoman
So far Tiger has denied that Elin hit him with a golf club and he better stick to that story. We don't care if she DID hit him, he deserved it, and we all cheer her on.
pclayton
Agree. If anyone had a reason for violent behavior it was Elin under those circumstances. I think she gave this clown more than enough chances to come clean and she probably has had it up to here with the bimbos in her life via her hubby. I think she had conducted herself publicly with grace and maturity; makes his behavior look even worse, even if she is not innocent herself, she sure knows how to act it.
Racketyrack
Yeah! Totally agree with many of the comments concerning Swedes. I happened to live there for quite a number of years and Swedish women are among the least trust worthy, cold, slimy female specimens out there on the planet! Swedes are definitely wishy washy and their women are among the most selfish partners you can find...I know!
Their history also proves it...they like to play the moral high ground and preach but actually do basically EVERYTHING in their absolute self interest (goes for their leaders and their citizens) and definitely NOT principle! That you can believe in!
humanrights
Wow! How did I miss your comment? Amazing. You need to educate the rest of the world. I suggest The Daily Beast commissions you to write a piece about your time living in Sweden.
What do you think about their view on violence and aggression? And why is it so hard for a man to leave them? It's like they issue endless empty threats that the men take as real.
Sajwert
Racketyrack, you must have come on too strong and got turned down a lot by smart Swedish women, therefore you have this vile comment to prove YOU are superior.
Anyone with any principles would not have written a comment so clearly self-serving, so that alone says a lot about who has the principles.
And as far as the moral high ground, seems you haven't gotten to the top of moral high ground as anyone who was really a good moral person would never have written all the slime you just did.
djanimaequeen
Though I am very much in Elin's corner and feel that her actions thus far have been justified, I wonder if Tiger's wife had been black and did the same thing with respect to the golf club incident if she also would have been percieved as acting with grace. I can't help but suspect that she would have been demonized for being the typical angry "ghetto" black female. I think what I like most about Elin is that she proves that there is a little "ghetto" in us all.
humanrights
I was thinking the same. And how about if she was black and he white. She probably would have been arrested by now.
However, some of these comments from 'Americans' justifying domestic violence committed by a wife are shocking. Violence is violence and unacceptable by anyone in any situation, unless in self-defense.
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Pupster
He chased her, not the other way around. She turned him down when he first approached her. She didn't "trap" anyone, nor had any need to.
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Czarkazem13
" In Sweden, when a couple divorce, things are split 50-50-prenups and divorce lawyers are almost unheard of. "We don't connect love with money," says columnist Britta Svensson. "The new prenup agreement makes Tiger come off as a fake person, almost mean. Does he really think she'd stay because he is showing her the money?""
No, prenups are to protect the major earner from losing their fortune? And BTW, demanding a 50-50 split - no matter what - is also connecting money and love.
Such hypocrsiy. I bet if Erin cheated on Tiger and he beat her, the Swedes would still try to hold Erin up as a victim. Either way, Swedes choose Erin, therefor all this is nonsense.
Nusrat
I was born in Sweden 25 years ago to dark skinned Indian immigrant parents. Most of my school years I was known as "niggersson" or "nigger" to my "peaceful" school mates. Indeed, the first time I felt relaxed in an academic environment was, two years ago, when I stepped on to the University of Texas campus, where I am a graduate student.
It's not only me, talk to any dark skinned person living in Sweden, and chances are the individual has been hearing ethnic slurs all his life or even been beaten up by right wing thugs
And, oh, about that Sweden being "peaceful" canard : please google Sweden Finance Minister Loan Nazis Hitler 1941.
keepakeeper43
Swedes supporting a Swede.
Wow.
ac16506
At least now we know what part of Tiger is black.
hatchling
My father is Swedish. I'm American born. Tiger is a philandering jerk.
I don't condone spousal abuse, but deep inside, I'm kinda glad she let him have it [if she did, of course it's not proven or admitted], because otherwise, we'd never know what a skunk he is and the charade of his public image would not have been exposed.
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