If the Olympics were a marriage parade, there is a tribal reluctance among the top golfers to join the party. The list of reluctant grooms is expanding by the week and there are fears of more withdrawals as we get nearer to the Olympics. Rory McIlroy’s decision to not take participate has turned the focus back on the topic. Adam Scott, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Marc Leishman, Vijay Singh and Miguel Angel Jimenez have already confirmed their reluctance much earlier.
In an anonymous poll conducted by the Sports Illustrated an overwhelming percentage of golfers felt that Olympics were far less significant relative the events they deemed more important. 71% of the players polled suggested that the PGA Championship means a whole lot more than a medal at the Olympics. Interestingly, 62% felt that even the Players Championship is a more important outing than the games in Rio.
Certainly this will lead to some disappointment for officials at the International Golf Federation, who have worked hard to bring about the inclusion of golf to the Olympic schedule for Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Oosthuizen admitted to thinking long and hard before making up his mind. Scott had taken shelter in a busy schedule, as he was among the earliest to clarify his intentions.
McIlroy swung back and forth before making the final decision, mainly rooted in his fears about the Zika virus.
One can identify with the fears of the Northern Irishman, given the time he lost last season through a freak injury while he was playing football with friends.
Vijay Singh was set to be Fiji’s lone male representative in Rio, but the 53 year old did not find the adventure too much to his taste either.
“The IGF understands the challenges players face in terms of scheduling this summer and it is regrettable to see a few leading players withdraw from this year’s Games,” said Peter Dawson, president of the IGF.
“The Olympics is the world’s greatest celebration of sport and it is exciting and appropriate that golf features in its program again. Real history will be made at this year’s Olympic competitions and it is our belief that the unique experience of competing will live forever with athletes that take part.”
There could be several reasons for golf’s reluctant engagement with the Olympic dream. These are professional players with a packed schedule and a clear pecking order. The place of the Olympics in golfing heritage will take many years to establish.
On another note, the PGA TOUR tends to be impervious in its approach toward testing its players for drugs. The WADA on the other hand has a stringent regimen that might be tough to submit to for the players that are not used to such an invasion of their lives.
No matter the reason, the current situation is far from ideal for golf. We can only hope that the event retains its charm – Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth are all expected to attend. May be when the games begin, we can forget the fracas and enjoy a strong event in August.
