Posted on 07/09/2016 12:43:21 PM PDT by jazusamo
U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson on Friday said that he will not attend the Olympic Games in Rio over the fears of Zika virus, ESPN reported.
"I feel it would be irresponsible to put myself, [my fiancée,] or our family at risk," said the athlete, who is ranked second in the sport worldwide. "I believe I am making the right decision for me and, most importantly, my family. While I am sure some will be critical of my decision, my hope is that most will understand and support it."
Thirteen golfers have already announced that they will not be at the games, and several — including the world's top golfer Jason Day and No. 4 Rory McIlroy — specifically attributed their decision to the Zika virus, according to the sports network.
The absence of three of the world's top four golfers could jeopardize the historic return of the sport to the Olympics; golf has not been an Olympic sport since 1904.
The Zika virus is known to cause serious birth defects.
A shame some of the best players in golf won’t be at the Olympics but I don’t blame them a bit.
Golf shouldn’t be an Olympic sport anyway.
Seems like most the golfers are making a wiser decision than most the swimmers. Maybe the average golfer good enough to even qualify for the Olympics is also used to making up his own mind about putts, drives, clubs, etc., whereas swimmers are usually responding to the orders of their Coach or set demands of a particular contest. There are exceptions on both sides, of course.
Don’t worry Dustin, Obama’s gonna’ bring Zika to all of us ASAP anyway.
I kinda feel that way for all professional sports that are now in the Olympics.
Being outside must also be a factor. Golfers would probably spend eight or more hours outside as a minimum. I would refrain from going if was a young man planning to have a family someday.
Paulina definitely falls under that rule. :)
Announcer whispers: “ Is that a.......... Kraken, Richard?”
“ Ah, no, actualy it’s a urethral parasite, Candice.”
?????
It’s much more than that. They hire their own caddies, pick the tournaments they want to play in, and book their own airplanes and hotel rooms.
As for the Olympics, it is totally unneeded. There are already four golf majors, four world golf events, the Ryder and Presidents cups, etc, etc.
Let the track and field guys, swimmers, and wrestlers get their turn!
I’m confused? Is your girlfriend pregnant? Zika is a danger to pregnant women, not mediocre male golfers.
Pay attention. The Zika virus can live for months in sperm, which is then passed on to the woman and can result in a grossly deformed child. There is no logical reason for male athletes who must compete outdoors to attend this Olympics.
Who cares? They’re PROFESSIONALS......the olympics used to be all about amateurs...sadly, no longer.
The hot damn crime is where and how Zika came to be
If you are insinuating that Dustin Johnson is a mediocre male golfer, you my FRiend obviously know nothing about golf.
Zika is a danger to pregnant women, not mediocre male golfers.
If you are insinuating that Dustin Johnson is a mediocre male golfer, you my FRiend obviously know nothing about golf.
D. J. is a mediocre coke head...Failed drug tests on two
separate occasions. Took 6 months off for “personal reasons”, (detox) and should have been banned for life by the PGA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.