Golfer Rory McIlroy hints at real reason for Rio Olympics snub

Rory McIlroy hinted yesterday that his Rio Olympic snub may not have been entirely due to fears over the Zika virus, saying his situation was "a little more complicated" than others

Rory McIlroy

New York: Rory McIlroy hinted yesterday that his Rio Olympic snub may not have been entirely due to fears over the Zika virus, saying his situation was "a little more complicated" than others.

The World No. 3 said he hadn't turned any thoughts yet to taking part in Tokyo 2020, adding that he would instead "concentrate on the 16 majors that we have between now and then".

On the eve of "Asia's Major", the $9.5-million World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, McIlroy was asked if he would like to play in "Asia's Olympics"— Tokyo 2020.

"The participation in the Olympics, for me it's just a little more complicated than for some other people, (because of) where I'm from and the whole politics of the thing," McIlroy told a news conference. He was referring to having to choose whether to represent Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland at the Games, a highly sensitive topic.

Before pulling out ahead of the Rio Games, McIlroy had come under fire from some quarters in Northern Ireland for originally opting to compete under Ireland's tricolour.

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