Zika virus hazard scares Rory away from Olympics

23 June 2016 - 09:58 By Reuters

Four-times major winner Rory McIlroy has pulled out of the historic golf tournament at the Rio Olympic Games because of health fears over the Zika virus. "After speaking with those closest to me, I've come to realise that my health and my family's health comes before anything else," the Northern Irish world No4 said yesterday."Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take."The 27-year-old McIlroy was due to represent Ireland at the Games and his withdrawal is the latest blow to golf, which is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.Big names, including Fiji's Vijay Singh and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, have also withdrawn because of the virus.Controversy over the August 5-21 Games has grown as more about Zika becomes known. The mosquito-borne virus can cause crippling birth defects and, in adults, has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre.Last week the World Health Organisation said there was "a very low risk" that holding the event in Brazil would cause further spread of the virus.But there are clearly worries in the golf world. Earlier this month, world No1 Jason Day expressed doubts for the first time over whether he would compete and the virus was a hot topic of conversation among golfers at last week's US Open.The list of absentees includes Australian world No8 Adam Scott and South Africa's world No14 Louis Oosthuizen, who have both opted out of playing in the Rio games over scheduling conflicts. ..

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