Golfer Rory McIlroy announced Wednesday that he’s skipping the Rio Olympics because of Zika virus concerns.
(Yes, golf is an Olympic sport, starting this year.)
“After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games,” 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.”
McIlroy, who has four major titles, is one of the biggest golf names on the planet and one of the biggest in any sport to pass on the Summer Games due to Zika.
The decision represents a reversal of course. A few weeks ago, McIlroy indicated he would participate and said contracting is “not the end of the world.”