Irish Olympians question Rory McIlroy’s Olympic withdrawal

Rory McIlroy withdrew from the upcoming Rio Olympics on Wednesday morning due to the risk of the Zika virus - irking some of his fellow Irish athletes with his decision.

In a statement, the golfer said: “After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realise that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else. 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.

“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.”

Yet not all Irish people have been as understanding as he would hope - including some Irish Olympians he would have been travelling to Rio with.

Darren O’Neill, the Irish boxing team’s captain in London four years ago, took to Twitter minutes after the statement: “I have cried tears & spilled blood in trying to qualify for Rio. This affirms my opinions. We are better w/o him!!”

Natalya Coyle, who competed in the modern pentathlon for Ireland four years ago and has again qualified to compete this summer, also criticised McIlroy on social media.

“Seriously? It’s the ultimate honor to represent your country at Olympics & we’ve top medical staff looking after us,” she tweeted.

The world number four now joins a growing list of golfers including Vijay Singh, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel who have already said they will not feature in Rio.