Rory McIlroy will not represent Ireland in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games due to the prevalence of the Zika virus throughout Brazil.
As reported by the International Business Times, Wednesday morning Rory Mcilroy, who was to represent Ireland, issued a statement withdrawing from the upcoming Olympics:
"After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me.I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it."
In early June the BBC quoted McIlroy voicing his concerns over the Zika virus:
"I have to monitor that situation because there’s going to be a point in time over the next couple of years when we’re going to have to think about starting a family and I don’t want anything to affect that."
Mcilroy is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. As related by FanSided’s Mike Dyce, at the recent 2016 U.S. Open McIroy double-bogeyed the final hole last Saturday, thereby missing the cut. Previously, he won the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 PGA Championship, the 2014 U.S. Open and the 2014 PGA Championship.
Two other golfers have withdrawn from the Olympic over concerns of the Zika virus: Australia’s Marc Leishman and Fiji’s Vijay Singh. This is the first Olympic Games since 1904 to include golf.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued a Level Two Alert for travelers to Brazil recommending the practice of enhanced precautions against the mosquito bites that transmit the virus. The CDC also cautions travelers that sexual transmission of Zika virus from a male partner is also possible, so travelers are also encouraged to use condoms or practice abstinence.