Rory McIlroy dealt the 2016 Olympics a significant blow today, by announcing that he will not be competing at this summer’s Rio games. He has cited the threat of the Zika virus as the reason for his controversial decision.
The decision is a doubly ironic one. When it was announced that golf would be included in the Olympic games this year, McIlroy – who was born and reared north of the border – agonised over whether he would declare for Ireland or the UK. In the end, there was much rejoicing in Ireland when he made the decision to wear green in Rio – and he was installed as one of our leading contenders for a medal. This is the first time that golf is represented at the Olympic Games since 1904. The games open on Friday, 5 August.
In a statement released earlier today, McIlroy outlined the thinking behind his decision;
“After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” he said.
"After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realise that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else. Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.
"I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me.
"I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it.”
McIlroy is not the first major golf name to pull out of the Olympics, with Adam Scott, Vijay Singh, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman and Charl Schwartzel also deciding not to travel.
With McIlroy now out of the picture, speculation is inevitable as to who will replace him on the Irish team. On the face of it, the way has become clear for another Northern Irishman, Graeme McDowell to step up to the plate.
However, as yet, no one knows what complications that might involve for the man from Portrush. Like McIlroy, he may feel conflicted by a decision to declare for Ireland – though golf has always been a 32-county sport on the island of Ireland. However, emotions have on occasion run high on the issue, and it is uncertain what position McDowell might take. He has already been quoted as saying that making the Irish team was well down on his list of priorities.
In the context, the Zika virus may in itself provide a get-out clause. On the other hand, the prospect of possible Olympic glory might just be enough of an attraction for a golfer who needs a bit of a break to regain the momentum that once propelled him towards the top of the world rankings. McDowell won the US Open in 2010 and he is currently ranked 73rd in the world.
Ireland’s only certain starter is Shane Lowry, who is ranked No.25 in the world, following his runners-up showing in the US Open last week.
The Olympic Council of Ireland issued a statement in response to McIlroy’s withdrawal, reassuring sports stars of the low risk involved. Their statement in full reads:
"The OCI is extremely disappointed not to be taking Rory with us to Rio. However, as we have always said, it is down to the individual and of course we respect his decision, which he has taken for personal reasons.
"Rory was set to be one of the big stars of Rio 2016, but now there is an opportunity for another Irish golfer to take up the chance to become an Olympian and participate in golf’s historic return to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence.
"The OCI and our medical team have taken our lead from the IOC on the Zika situation, as we do in all matters. They have provided us with every assurance and we have total confidence that the Games will be safe for all athletes.
"We are now following the IOC’s recommendations, as well as the recommendations of the Rio 2016 organisers, the World Health Organisation and national health authorities, to ensure that Team Ireland’s athletes are kept fully updated with the latest and best advice and that they are equipped to take all necessary precautions.
"The OCI regularly updates the private Team Ireland app guidelines and we have held a number of sport seminars and workshops for team leaders, coaches and medical support staff. The OCI is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the welfare of Team Ireland’s athletes at Rio 2016."
Those words of comfort may seem to run counter to the WHO's declaration in February that the Zika epidemic is a global emergency. However, the latest updates from the WHO suggest that the risk of the disease being spread internationally as a result of the Olympics is low.
The Zica virus is carried by mosquitoes, with pregnant women being the most at risk because of the effect which the virus can have on a foetus. There is a danger of babies being born with microcephaly, a neurological disorder that can result in incomplete brain development.
"The committee concluded that there is a very low risk of further international spread of Zika virus as a result of the Olympics and Paralympics, which is already low,” Dr David Heymann, who is chairman of the WHO's emergency committee stated.
The World Health Organisation also believes that risk will diminish n August, as it will be winter in Brazil and the mosquito population will have fallen.
"It was clear to the committee that there are significant personal risks, as there are for anyone travelling anywhere,” Dr. Heymann said, "but the risks are no different for people going to the Olympics or Paralympics than they are for people going to other areas where there are outbreaks of Zika."