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Golfers and the Olympics

killerandflash
killerandflash Posts: 69,844
in Other Football and Sports
I know it's a concern for some, but the Golf in the Olympics (which should never have been there anyway) is going to be a complete joke, as competitor after competitor pull out over Zika. McIlroy, McDowell, Day, Lowry have all pulled out, while Scott and Oosthuizen won't be there either.

No other sport has had these withdrawals, surely the best thing would be to cancel the golf completely.

Comments

  • MuttleyCAFC
    MuttleyCAFC Posts: 47,728
    it undermines the Olympics - might as well have snooker and darts in it!
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,843
    MuttleyCAFC said:

    it undermines the Olympics - might as well have snooker and darts in it!

    Or indeed reinstate chess.
  • harveys_gardener
    harveys_gardener Posts: 7,038
    edited June 2016
    It is a shame that proper sports without the benefit of prizemoney are seeing their categories and medals reduced to facilitate these overpaid ponces adding to their trophy cabinet. Baseball, tennis, golf?? Ffs all US TV favorites. Look forward to Rugby 7s though.
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    I was astonished that wrestling was dropped at one point from the 2016 games. The west might not be interested, but it's a massive sport in much of Asia, and one of the Classic Olympic events
  • Sillybilly
    Sillybilly Posts: 9,234
    Shouldn't be in the olympics in the first place as far as I'm concerned and I'm a passionate golfer. No valid reason for saying that other than instinct I'm afraid. Neither golf nor the olympics have missed each other so far and in sure it's not a big deal for the big players. By all means have it in there but make it for the amateurs.
  • smudge7946
    smudge7946 Posts: 4,131
    Mcllroy was never going to the Olympics because of the set up of golf in Ireland.
    Zika concerns were his best way out.
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    What makes this situation all the more farcical is all the top male golfers pulling out over Zika, while the female players are still going!
  • All_Thaid_Up
    All_Thaid_Up Posts: 2,293
    killerandflash said:

    What makes this situation all the more farcical is all the top male golfers pulling out over Zika, while the female players are still going!

    I do find it strange that no women have pulled out, but I understand the LPGA is putting a lot of pressure on the women golfers because of the greater TV exposure.
  • Chris_from_Sidcup
    Chris_from_Sidcup Posts: 36,010
    harveys gardener said:

    It is a shame that proper sports without the benefit of prizemoney are seeing their categories and medals reduced to facilitate these overpaid ponces adding to their trophy cabinet. Baseball, tennis, golf?? Ffs all US TV favorites.


    Don't forget the usual procession to another USA basketball gold.
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,348
    agreed .. no way is golf appropriate as an Olympic 'sport' .. what next ? Formula 1
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  • eaststandmike
    eaststandmike Posts: 14,956
    All_Thaid_Up said:

    killerandflash said:

    What makes this situation all the more farcical is all the top male golfers pulling out over Zika, while the female players are still going!

    I do find it strange that no women have pulled out, but I understand the LPGA is putting a lot of pressure on the women golfers because of the greater TV exposure.
    Lol, a poster from Thailand talking about women "pulling out", superb :smile:
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/36662090
    Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, who is set to take one of the two Irish places available, understands his colleagues' position.

    "I known there has been a lot of criticism, but most of the golfers are married with families, or with families on the way, whereas 99% of the athletes going to the Games will be single," he said.

    "When you're married, there is more than just one person to be considered.

    "The Olympics comes every four years for an athlete. For them it's the be-all and end-all, whereas we'll have 16 majors in the time between the last games and this one."
    Which is exactly why golf shouldn't be there
  • Elthamaddick
    Elthamaddick Posts: 15,810
    shouldn't tennis be in the same bracket as golf when it comes to the Olympics?
  • red_murph
    red_murph Posts: 2,460
    Elthamaddick said:

    shouldn't tennis be in the same bracket as golf when it comes to the Olympics?

    Exactly this. I absolutely love Golf but have no interest in it being in the Olympics at all. I'm not a tennis fan but there is no way that should be in there either.

    I know drugs are absolutely rife in Athletics and other sports, which does taint it now, but for me adding these events takes away from it even more.

  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,783
    smudge7946 said:

    Mcllroy was never going to the Olympics because of the set up of golf in Ireland.
    Zika concerns were his best way out.

    @smudge7946 could you explain, please? I've heard nothing about the set-up of golf in Ireland.
  • smudge7946
    smudge7946 Posts: 4,131
    Golf in Ireland has one governing body covering the north and south, similar to rugby.

    So this means Rory as a northern Irish person would have to play for the republic rather than the UK.

    This might be a problem in his local community, for what is a minor competition in golfing terms and unlikely to be worth the hassle.

    Zika was his first opportunity to pull out.
  • All_Thaid_Up
    All_Thaid_Up Posts: 2,293
    AddicksAddict said:

    smudge7946 said:

    Mcllroy was never going to the Olympics because of the set up of golf in Ireland.
    Zika concerns were his best way out.

    @smudge7946 could you explain, please? I've heard nothing about the set-up of golf in Ireland.
    I assumed he meant, he is sponsored by Nike and he would have to wear New Balance who sponsor Ireland (actually he could wear his Nike shoes)
  • man_at_milletts
    man_at_milletts Posts: 5,620
    If golfers don't want to go, I would suggest they hand their baton over to Netball. They'd love to be given the chance.
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    smudge7946 said:

    Golf in Ireland has one governing body covering the north and south, similar to rugby.

    So this means Rory as a northern Irish person would have to play for the republic rather than the UK.

    This might be a problem in his local community, for what is a minor competition in golfing terms and unlikely to be worth the hassle.

    Zika was his first opportunity to pull out.

    McIlroy as a Northern Irishman could have chosen to play for "Team GB" or Ireland, and golf is far less of a team game than most other sports, the Ryder Cup is probably the only team contest anyone cares about!

    It's presumably easier in the Rugby 7s, as the Irish team already covers both countries
  • RedPanda
    RedPanda Posts: 4,986
    smudge7946 said:

    Golf in Ireland has one governing body covering the north and south, similar to rugby.

    So this means Rory as a northern Irish person would have to play for the republic rather than the UK.

    This might be a problem in his local community, for what is a minor competition in golfing terms and unlikely to be worth the hassle.

    Zika was his first opportunity to pull out.

    Rory had already committed to the Republic https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/18/rory-mcilroy-olympics-ireland-golf

    I also like golf but I’m not bothered about watching this or who wins. I’d honestly rather watch a PGA Tour event.

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