Rory McIlroy: Golfer pulls out of Rio 2016 over Zika fear

2 minute read
Updated 4:11 PM EDT, Wed June 22, 2016
Milos Raonic is the first leading tennis player to pull out of the Rio 2016 Olympics because of "uncertainty" over the Zika virus. The world No. 7 withdrew from Canada's team on July 15.
Milos Raonic is the first leading tennis player to pull out of the Rio 2016 Olympics because of "uncertainty" over the Zika virus. The world No. 7 withdrew from Canada's team on July 15.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Young golf star Jordan Spieth has pulled out of contention to take part at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The American cited fears about the Zika virus, according to the International Golf Federation, which released a list of eligible players on July 11.
Young golf star Jordan Spieth has pulled out of contention to take part at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The American cited fears about the Zika virus, according to the International Golf Federation, which released a list of eligible players on July 11.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
The U.S. golf team will also be without world No. 2 Dustin Johnson, who won the U.S. Open in June. Johnson pulled out on July 8, saying "my concerns about the Zika virus cannot be ignored." He already has a baby boy with fiancee Paulina Gretzky.
The U.S. golf team will also be without world No. 2 Dustin Johnson, who won the U.S. Open in June. Johnson pulled out on July 8, saying "my concerns about the Zika virus cannot be ignored." He already has a baby boy with fiancee Paulina Gretzky.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
South African golfer Lee-Anne Pace, who ranks No. 21 in the LPGA, said she does not want to be considered to represent her country in Rio this summer because of Zika. Noting that the decision is personal, she said, "Playing in the Rio 2016 Olympics is an incredible honor for any athlete, and we are excited for golf's return to the Games. We also realize that the Zika virus is a concern for many, particularly for women with plans for a family in the near-term."
South African golfer Lee-Anne Pace, who ranks No. 21 in the LPGA, said she does not want to be considered to represent her country in Rio this summer because of Zika. Noting that the decision is personal, she said, "Playing in the Rio 2016 Olympics is an incredible honor for any athlete, and we are excited for golf's return to the Games. We also realize that the Zika virus is a concern for many, particularly for women with plans for a family in the near-term."
Leon Halip/Getty Images
Australian Jason Day, ranked No. 1 in the world of golf, says he will not compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio due to concerns over the Zika virus. "The reason for my decision is my concern about the possible Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife's future pregnancies and to the future members of our family," Day said in announcing his decision.
Australian Jason Day, ranked No. 1 in the world of golf, says he will not compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio due to concerns over the Zika virus. "The reason for my decision is my concern about the possible Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife's future pregnancies and to the future members of our family," Day said in announcing his decision.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Golf's world No. 4, Rory McIIroy, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/22/golf/rory-mcilroy-rio-2016-zika-virus-fears/">announced in June</a> that he wouldn't be competing in the Rio Olympics amid fears surrounding the Zika virus. "After speaking with those closest to me, I've come to realize that my health and my family's health comes before anything else," McIIroy said in a statement.
Golf's world No. 4, Rory McIIroy, announced in June that he wouldn't be competing in the Rio Olympics amid fears surrounding the Zika virus. "After speaking with those closest to me, I've come to realize that my health and my family's health comes before anything else," McIIroy said in a statement.
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
On June 28, Irish golfer Shane Lowry announced he is withdrawing from the 2016 Olympics games being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August. In a statement Lowry said, "While I am bitterly disappointed to be missing out on that experience and the opportunity to win an Olympic medal for Ireland, on this occasion I have to put my family's welfare first."
On June 28, Irish golfer Shane Lowry announced he is withdrawing from the 2016 Olympics games being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August. In a statement Lowry said, "While I am bitterly disappointed to be missing out on that experience and the opportunity to win an Olympic medal for Ireland, on this occasion I have to put my family's welfare first."
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Australian golfer Marc Leishman <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/05/golf/rio-olympics-marc-leishman-golf-zika-virus/">pulled out of the Olympic Games</a> amid concerns over the Zika virus' impact on his wife's compromised immune system. "We have consulted with Audrey's physician and, due to her ongoing recovery and potential risks associated with the transmission of the Zika virus, it was a difficult yet easy decision not to participate," he said in June.
Australian golfer Marc Leishman pulled out of the Olympic Games amid concerns over the Zika virus' impact on his wife's compromised immune system. "We have consulted with Audrey's physician and, due to her ongoing recovery and potential risks associated with the transmission of the Zika virus, it was a difficult yet easy decision not to participate," he said in June.
Harry How/Getty Images
Fiji's <a href="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/160618201248-mcilroy-out-large-tease.jpg" target="_blank" target="_blank">Vijay Singh has chosen not to participate</a> in the Olympics, which includes golf for the first time in 112 years. Singh, a three-time major winner, was one of the first notable athletes to drop out of the games because of the Zika virus. He announced his decision in mid-April.
Fiji's Vijay Singh has chosen not to participate in the Olympics, which includes golf for the first time in 112 years. Singh, a three-time major winner, was one of the first notable athletes to drop out of the games because of the Zika virus. He announced his decision in mid-April.
Harry How/Getty Images
American <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/07/health/zika-olympics/">cyclist Tejay van Garderen</a> will be skipping the Olympics. "If my wife wasn't pregnant right now, I'd be going to Rio," he told CNN. "My biggest concern is for the baby on the way. I would never tell any athlete who's worked their butt off for four years not to go to the games."
American cyclist Tejay van Garderen will be skipping the Olympics. "If my wife wasn't pregnant right now, I'd be going to Rio," he told CNN. "My biggest concern is for the baby on the way. I would never tell any athlete who's worked their butt off for four years not to go to the games."
Tim de Waele/Corbis Sport/Getty Images
"Today" anchor <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/06/07/media/olympics-savannah-guthrie-zika-pregnant/">Savannah Guthrie announced in June</a> that she is expecting her second child and will not be heading to Brazil to cover the Olympic Games because of concerns about the Zika virus. "I'm not going to be able to go to Rio," she told co-anchor Matt Lauer. "The doctors say we shouldn't because of the Zika virus."
"Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie announced in June that she is expecting her second child and will not be heading to Brazil to cover the Olympic Games because of concerns about the Zika virus. "I'm not going to be able to go to Rio," she told co-anchor Matt Lauer. "The doctors say we shouldn't because of the Zika virus."
Peter Kramer/Episodic/NBC
Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?

Story highlights

Rory McIlroy pulls out of Rio 2016 amid Zika virus fears

Traveling to Brazil is a health "risk I am unwilling to take"

CNN  — 

The Rio Olympics have suffered their highest-profile withdrawal to date, as golf’s world No. 4, Rory McIlroy, announced that he wouldn’t be competing amid fears surrounding the Zika virus.

The sport is making a return to the Summer Games for the first time since 1904, and organizers have had to deal with other big names pulling out, notably major winners Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen.

“After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero,” McIlroy said in a statement.

“After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize 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.”

While the symptoms of the virus – which include a rash, headaches and joint pain – aren’t severe, Zika has been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies and some cases of the muscle-weakening disease Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults.

As well as McIlroy, Scott and Oosthuizen, three-time major winner Vijay Singh and Australia’s Marc Leishman – citing Zika – have also decided not to compete.

South Korea unveils anti-Zika uniform

The Olympic Council of Ireland said in a statement that it is “extremely disappointed” not to be taking Rory to the Olympics but “respect his decision.”

“Rory was set to be one of the big stars of Rio 2016,” the organization said. “But now there is an opportunity for another Irish golfer to take up the chance to become an Olympian and participate in golf’s historic return to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence.”

McIlroy failed to make the cut at last week’s U.S. Open, as Dustin Johnson claimed his maiden major triumph.

Olympics: Rio 2016’s ‘perfect storm’

Fearing Zika, Olympic champion freezes sperm

McIlroy was seen supporting his Northern Irish compatriots in their Euro 2016 match against Germany Tuesday
McIlroy was seen supporting his Northern Irish compatriots in their Euro 2016 match against Germany Tuesday
Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images