World No. 1 Jason Day on Tuesday became the latest top golfer to withdraw from August’s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games because of the Zika virus.
Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, but a number of big names, including four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, have also pulled out due to Zika concerns, with the WHO saying the mosquito-borne disease is spreading rapidly in the Americas.
“The reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife’s future pregnancies and to future members of our family,” Australian Day, 28, said in a statement.
“While it has always been a major goal to compete in the Olympics on behalf of my country, playing golf cannot take precedent over the safety of our family. I will not place them at risk,” he added.
The decision means Australia’s top three golfers have now withdrawn their names from consideration for the Games, with world No. 8 Adam Scott citing his busy schedule and Marc Leishman, who is ranked 39th in the world, also citing Zika.
“We respect Jason’s decision,” the Australian Olympic Committee said in a statement. “He is a family man and he has put his family first.”
Ireland’s Shane Lowry, the world No. 25 who finished joint runner-up in this month’s US Open, also withdrew on Tuesday and said his decision was based on firm medical advice.
“While I am bitterly disappointed to be missing out on that experience and the opportunity to win an Olympic medal for Ireland, on this occasion, I have to put my family’s welfare first,” said Lowry, who recently married.
Ireland Olympic golf team captain Paul McGinley said the withdrawals were not good for the image of the sport.
“I agree, it does not particularly reflect well on golfers when they seem to be the only ones withdrawing, but when it is for their own personal reasons, we have to respect that,” McGinley told national Irish broadcaster RTE.
“The risk is very, very, very small, but ultimately, it is a risk they are not willing to take,” he added.
The Rio Olympics, the first in South America, are to take place from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21.
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