Jason Day adds to growing Olympic exodus

Jason Day and Shane Lowry have withdrawn from the Olympics in Rio citing fears about the Zika virus

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Jason Day withdraw from Olympics in Rio

Anand Datla

June 29, 2016:   The rush to exit the Olympics in Rio is gathering pace. Jason Day and Shane Lowry added their names to a growing list of professionals opting out of the Olympics either due to scheduling pressures or increasingly out of fear for the Zika virus. Rory McIlroy also decided to excuse himself from the event.

Anirban Lahiri is an exception to the current trend among golfers, very excited and eager to be a part of the games. He will represent India along with SSP Chawrasia.

Only four of the top ten golfers in the world have expressed a keen desire to participate. Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson for USA, Henrik Stenson for Sweden and Justin Rose for Britain.

Adam Scott, ranked 8th in the world was among the first to break away, citing a busy schedule. Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel are not going to be on the flight from Johannesburg. Vijay Singh, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Marc Leishman are also confirmed drop outs.

“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,” said Day. “I will not place them at risk.”

“The sole 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,” Day said in a statement. “I have always placed my family in front of everything else in my life.”

Shane Lowry, the final round leader at the recent US Open won by Johnson, has also opted out of the event. Graeme McDowell, who was in line to replace McIlroy had also withdrawn stating his desire to spend time with his wife, who is expected to deliver just days after the Olympics.

Serena Williams weighed in from London on the growing exodus in golf. “I think it is sad,” said Williams. “I obviously understand where they’re coming from and how they feel. Part of me feels that way, too, which is why I’m going in with a whole mindset of how do I protect myself and also raise awareness for this.”.

The qualification deadline for the Olympics is July 11. The Olympic bodies of each nation has till July 18 to submit their list of participants. As we inch closer to those dates, there is a likelihood that the chorus of exits will only grow louder.

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