Rory McIlroy pulls out of Olympics due to Zika threat

Golfer Rory McIlroy says he will not compete at this summer’s Olympic games in Rio due to concerns over the Zika virus.

The world No 4 was in line to be selected for Ireland’s Rio team in the first Olympic golf tournament for 112 years. McIlroy said earlier this month he was preparing to make the trip after the advice of experts had put his mind at ease, but the Ulsterman now says the threat of infection is “a risk I am unwilling to take”.

“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.”

A statement from the Olympic Council of Ireland read: “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.”

Adam Scott,Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh are other high-profile golfers to rule themselves out of the Rio games.