Spieth Pulls Out Of Olympics Because Of Zika Virus But Also Because “Meh” To Olympic Golf
Bubba Watson will be the world’s highest ranked golfer in Rio now that the top four in the world have all withdrawn their names from the 2016 summer Olympics. Jordan Spieth pulled out today, citing the threat of Zika virus as the reason. But it’s also because Rio is a terrifying place with a sketchy government, crime, corruption and pollution, and it’s because Spieth made 22 milly in 2015 (not including endorsements), brought home a lot of hardware, and he has little to gain by venturing to this awful place.
The Zika virus is a valid excuse to skip out on Rio, but it’s also a convenient one. These guys just don’t want to play.
From BBC:
Two-time major winner Spieth, who is replaced by Matt Kuchar, is expected to give details about his withdrawal at a news conference before the Open Championship on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, defending Open champion Zach Johnson has questioned the inclusion of golf, football and basketball in the Olympics.
Johnson, 40, said the three sports would instead count majors, the World Cup and the NBA as their pinnacles.
“I don’t know if golf has its place,” Johnson said. “Basketball and soccer, do they really need to be in there either? My guess is they want a World Cup, an NBA Championship, before a gold medal.
“No offence to the Olympics but I’d rather be on the Ryder Cup team. As an American golfer I have that opportunity and that’s what I’d rather do.”
A chance at a gold medal for these guys just isn’t worth the small pay day and the chance of coming home with a virus that makes your baby’s head tiny, I guess.
[via BBC]
Image via Instagram/ @jordanspieth
I’m telling you Tim from accounting is going to bring home the gold for USA since everyone keeps pulling out.
10 years ago at 3:41 pmOne Olympic champion every 4 years should be a much greater honor than winning 1/16 majors in that same time frame. Also, where is the patriotism?
10 years ago at 3:56 pmThere is too little history of golf in the olympics for there to be any honor. Also, patriotism for a golfer is competing in the Ryder cup and Presidents cup.
10 years ago at 11:28 pmPulling out cause of the zika virus is not a good reason. It’s only seriously harmful to pregnant women. Otherwise it’s not much worse than getting a cold. Pulling out cause rio is a shit place sure whatever. But he should still want to do his country proud and bring home gold.
10 years ago at 3:57 pmThanks pre-med Chad. 150 actual doctors and public health professionals say you are wrong. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/05/27/rio-olympics-zika-letter-postpone-world-heath-organization/85036174/
10 years ago at 5:33 pmThe odds of getting Zika in Rio are about the same as getting it along the Gulf coast. Plus, the athletes are sheltered from the filthy locals – and the Olympic village sex is supposed to be legendary.
10 years ago at 3:57 pmGolf in the Olympics needs to be amateurs only
10 years ago at 4:04 pmDamn straight. Every event should.
10 years ago at 4:14 pmZach Fuckin Johnson said “offense”, like a true American. None of this mamby-Pamby wishy-washy British “offence” bullshit. Whomever wrote the quoted story needs a good hard paddlin.
10 years ago at 4:13 pm