Bach says the International Olympic Committee has to “respect the individual decisions” of golfers who pulled out citing concerns over Zika, but notes that there have also been “very different reasons” not related to the virus that have led some to skip the games.
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“I think Zach Johnson really did sum it up, and I wish they would all come out and say that’s the real reason that they’re not going, instead of using another excuse”, added Redgrave.
I didn’t get into golf to try to grow the game, I tried to get into golf to win championships and win major championships. With 18 other players having withdrawn, he was looked upon as someone whose commitment might ease the backlash against golf for its perceived indifference about the sport returning to the Olympics. I wanted to make sure I did my homework and knew the risks and that I felt comfortable with going down. “I’m an ambassador for the PGA Junior League, I do some stuff for the First Tee in the States and I feel like I’ve used my success in golf in a very positive way in the community”.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland listens to a question from the media at a press conference for the British Open Golf Championships at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Tuesday, July 12, 2016.
TROON: Justin Rose is hopeful the threat posed by the Zika virus will prove to be a “non-event” as he explained his decision to compete at the Rio Olympics next month.
Thousands of athletes in many sports have visited Brazil in the last two years for test events and not one has been reported to have contracted the virus.
“It does seem a little unfair that a lot of sports out there would absolutely love their place in the Olympic Games, would see it as a pinnacle and would do everything they can to get an Olympic medal”.
“Blood testing is something that needs to happen in golf just to make sure that it is a clean sport going forward”, McIlroy said. I play for other things.
He continued by comparing his own decision to that of Jordan Spieth, who on the surface was more torn about the Olympics. “It’s a decision that will loom with me for a long time”.
Peter Dawson yesterday said the mass exodus “hasn’t shed golf in the best light” and that golf’s image was being tarnished on the back of the debacle. I didn’t get into golf to try and grow the game.
Dawson and other leading names in golf have spoken of using Rio to help grow the sport globally, but McIlroy, a four-time major victor, sees things differently. “You’re just going to be jealous when I get that gold'”.
On that subject, Rickie Fowler said: “Maybe I’ll cause enough of a stir that Rory’ll turn it back over to golf at some point”.
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McIlroy said he’ll most likely watch the Olympics on TV, but not necessarily his fellow golfers.
