Mcilroy somewhat wrong over Olympic golf

[Deleted member 16999]

Thought the Rio Olympics were great - loved it , the excitement was superb and loved the newer sports like Rugby 7's - the crowds were always going to be an issue with the financial problems there.

The support in the Far East will have no bearing on the future because it's already in the Tokyo games and it will be the same level of field with many missing out. It's beyond the Tokyo games that will be the issue

How can you be so sure about players missing, do you think they won't want the chance to represent their Country as an individual if chosen?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

How can you be so sure about players missing, do you think they won't want the chance to represent their Country as an individual if chosen?

How many decided not represent their country this year when chosen ?

Nothing will change in 4 years with schedule being so busy

Golfers on the whole don't see the Olympics as the pinnacle of their sport and don't see that changing

 

[Deleted member 16999]

How many decided not represent their country this year when chosen ?

Nothing will change in 4 years with schedule being so busy

Golfers on the whole don't see the Olympics as the pinnacle of their sport and don't see that changing

This year they had the zika virus as an excuse plus totally agree it was an unknown quantity and a risk, prior to the virus players had committed.
With the publicity it brought I think it will be on their radar and no reason why they can't work it into their schedule.
Tennis like you stated hasn't got status of a major but still attracts the worlds best, why not Golf.
You could correct, but at the moment niether of us really know.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

This year they had the zika virus as an excuse plus totally agree it was an unknown quantity and a risk, prior to the virus players had committed.
With the publicity it brought I think it will be on their radar and no reason why they can't work it into their schedule.
Tennis like you stated hasn't got status of a major but still attracts the worlds best, why not Golf.
You could correct, but at the moment niether of us really know.

And in four years time there will be something else for them to give as a reason - a number of them pulled out because it's a busy schedule and that won't change - it will be too close to the US PGA and Fed Ex - people are still talking about the other sports and the winners and will be for months maybe years - in golf the talk is now about the Fed Ex and the RC - the Olympics is just about being forgotten about.

In tennis a number of the guys and girls also pulled out and it's not the same format as a slam - 3 sets to the final and smaller numbers compared to a slam and they also fit it in around the tennis season with there already a natural break

 

[Deleted member 16999]

And in four years time there will be something else for them to give as a reason - a number of them pulled out because it's a busy schedule and that won't change - it will be too close to the US PGA and Fed Ex - people are still talking about the other sports and the winners and will be for months maybe years - in golf the talk is now about the Fed Ex and the RC - the Olympics is just about being forgotten about.

In tennis a number of the guys and girls also pulled out and it's not the same format as a slam - 3 sets to the final and smaller numbers compared to a slam and they also fit it in around the tennis season with there already a natural break

Maybe, maybe not, they were still talking about the Olympics during The Barclays today on Sky.
We'll just have to wait and see and if it helps grow the game anywhere in the world, all good by me.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

I'm confident golf is here to stay in the Olympics.
It was one of the best followed sports.
It will grow awareness in non golfing corners of the globe.
And any money that Rose lost in his earnings will be more than compensated by increased sponsorship.
That and the chance to win a gold medal for your country must be quite nice...

It'll never get near the majors. But once every 4 years it'll be a nice distraction for the players.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

In tennis a number of the guys and girls also pulled out and it's not the same format as a slam - 3 sets to the final and smaller numbers compared to a slam and they also fit it in around the tennis season with there already a natural break

But the world top 3 were there. And they all wanted a medal . It took a few Olympics to settle in. And it's never MORE important than the money cycle
But these guys are so rich they can afford to miss a couple of weeks of earning for the chance to win a medal.

And I think you can expect the same with golf. It wouldn't surprise my if, given the top 5 players were missing, any largish tournament moved it's spot by a couple of weeks every 4 years.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

But the world top 3 were there. And they all wanted a medal . It took a few Olympics to settle in. And it's never MORE important than the money cycle
But these guys are so rich they can afford to miss a couple of weeks of earning for the chance to win a medal.

And I think you can expect the same with golf. It wouldn't surprise my if, given the top 5 players were missing, any largish tournament moved it's spot by a couple of weeks every 4 years.

The Top three in tennis weren't there both Federer and Waranki were missing but that's a mute point - also I'm not sure why you are talking about money ?

The PGA moved its spot this year and they all played in that then missed the Olympics.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

The Top three in tennis weren't there both Federer and Waranki were missing but that's a mute point - also I'm not sure why you are talking about money ?

The PGA moved its spot this year and they all played in that then missed the Olympics.

Warinki was actually number 4 and is injured, Federer is out for the season, so injuries apart all the top Tennis players were there.
The PGA didn't have the zika virus hanging over it and the Golfers who did withdraw, already had.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

The Top three in tennis weren't there both Federer and Waranki were missing but that's a mute point - also I'm not sure why you are talking about money ?

The PGA moved its spot this year and they all played in that then missed the Olympics.

Apologies. You can tell how much attention I paid - I thought Federer was there. .😳

I'm talking about money because that's why professionals play the game, be it golf or tennis.

There's no way Murray was ever going to miss the Olympics and Djokovic was really cheesed about going out.

They play for money up to 11 months of the year. But when the Olympics is around they are quite happy losing out on a few quid.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Warinki was actually number 4 and is injured, Federer is out for the season, so injuries apart all the top Tennis players were there.
The PGA didn't have the zika virus hanging over it and the Golfers who did withdraw, already had.

Paul they didn't turn up because it wasn't a priority to them because there are bigger comps ahead for them this season that won't be any different in 4 years - the Fed Ex , RTD and RC take priority for the players. There is nothing to suggest that in 4 years time it will be any different.

 

[brendy]

I have to say I never watched a single shot , perhaps rose tinted glasses (pardon the expression) say that locally it was perceived as great for golf given it had a GB winner. Had it been an asian, south american etc winner, we maybe wouldnt have been so impressed with it.
Personally I think professional sportsmen and women should not be in the olympics, that stands for all disciplines. The olympics shouldnt be about ratings, it is (or at least was envisioned to be) about the pinnacle of amateur sports.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Paul they didn't turn up because it wasn't a priority to them because there are bigger comps ahead for them this season that won't be any different in 4 years - the Fed Ex , RTD and RC take priority for the players. There is nothing to suggest that in 4 years time it will be any different.

They won the doubles as a pair at 2012, they've competed in the past, Federer's back has him out for the rest of the season, you're making out he just missed the Olympics, same as Warinki, he's out for 6 weeks, do you really expect any professional sportsman to risk further injury, you are guessing and making it up why they didn't attend Rio, I'm giving you facts and apart from injury, the other poster was correct, the Top 3 Tennis Players in the World were at the Olympics,

 

[Deleted member 16999]

I have to say I never watched a single shot , perhaps rose tinted glasses (pardon the expression) say that locally it was perceived as great for golf given it had a GB winner. Had it been an asian, south american etc winner, we maybe wouldnt have been so impressed with it.
Personally I think professional sportsmen and women should not be in the olympics, that stands for all disciplines. The olympics shouldnt be about ratings, it is (or at least was envisioned to be) about the pinnacle of amateur sports.

And for 99% of the people on here we'd agree with you, unfortunately the boat on professional sportsman has long gone and sailed.
The Women had an Asian winner and they reckon it had the highest TV viewing ever for a womans golf event.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

They won the doubles as a pair at 2012, they've competed in the past, Federer's back has him out for the rest of the season, you're making out he just missed the Olympics, same as Warinki, he's out for 6 weeks, do you really expect any professional sportsman to risk further injury, you are guessing and making it up why they didn't attend Rio, I'm giving you facts and apart from injury, the other poster was correct, the Top 3 Tennis Players in the World were at the Olympics,

Eh ? My post was about the golfers hence mention the Fed Ex and RC

I know why Federer and Waranki weren't at the Olympics.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Eh ? My post was about the golfers hence mention the Fed Ex and RC

I know why Federer and Waranki weren't at the Olympics.

It applies to both sports though, those that didn't turn up had a reason, Rose, Willett, Stenson etc had the same priorities and attended, what mskes them different?

 

[GB72]

Thing is every Olympics after this will be even less important. Certain cudos to winning the first one after golfs return but every other will be less significant. What will make a difference is that the next one is in a big golfing market and all those sponsors who pay the players big bucks will want their golfers out there

 

[Doh]

Back to the OP! none of us as far as I know has ever had to sit in front of a lot of journalist whilst they fire questions at you looking for a story. So yes Rory has said some things he regrets and he has retracted some, but all credit to him for telling it how he feels at the time.

 

[Oohmeoldbacksknackered]

Thing is every Olympics after this will be even less important. Certain cudos to winning the first one after golfs return but every other will be less significant. What will make a difference is that the next one is in a big golfing market and all those sponsors who pay the players big bucks will want their golfers out there

Totally agree with the second point.
But have to disagree with the first.
Every 4 years it will get more important. Everyone will go next time. And by then there will be the beginnings of a new generation of Golfer who sees it as just part of the calendar. Not dissimilar to the Ryder cup.
It'll have good years and bad years, but it brought golf to a whole new audience which was always the main aim and the IOC like big sports that earn them lots of money.

 

[USER1999]

Professional sportsman comes across as a bit thick. Nothing new there then.