RORY’S OLYM
Rory McIlroy left a room of sports writers open-mouthed yesterday with the stunning revelation that he will represent Ireland at the olympics in Tokyo next year.
Two years after telling one of Ireland’s leading newspapers that he resented the olympics and felt no connection to either the British or Irish flag — ‘I want to stay away from flags,’ he commented — the 30-yearold completed the most remarkable about-turn.
‘I’m excited to be going to the olympics and I’m excited to play for Ireland,’ he said yesterday in the build-up to the US PGA Championship, which begins tomorrow at Bethpage.
He certainly wasn’t excited in January 2017, when he disclosed to the Irish Independent his response to Justin rose, who won gold in Brazil in 2016. rose had asked McIlroy whether he felt he had missed out on not playing in rio, where golf returned to the olympics for the first time since 1904.
‘I said to Justin, ustin, if I I’d d been on that podium listening to the Irish anthem as that hat flag went up, or the British h anthem as that t flag went up, I would’ve felt uncomfortable either way, ’ explained McIlroy - at the time. .
‘I don’t know w the words to either her anthem, I don’t feel a connection to either flag. I resent the he olympics because of the position it puts me in, and whether that’s right or wrong, that’s how I feel.’
McIlroy’s chequered history with the olympics began in 2009 when it was announced golf would make its return. He caused a storm when he revealed r to in 2011 that he felt ‘ more British than Ir Irish’. S Such was the outr outrage felt south of th the border, McIlroy declared he would play f for Ireland in rio, only to pull out, citing the Zika virus that was ravaging Brazil. At a press conference at the open at royal Troon, just a month before rio, he said he would not watch the golf at the olympics. ‘I’ll only watch the stuff that matters,’ he said.
To be fair to McIlroy, the turmoil is indicative of a high-profile sportsman from Northern Ireland placed in an impossible position, knowing full well he will stir up deep feelings no matter what he decides. Two years ago, he admitted his exasperation at being asked about the olympics at Troon.
‘It was one question after another about the olympics, olympics, olympics,’ he said. ‘I thought I had got out of it and it came up again. I could just feel myself go boom and I let them have it.’
It looked to be heading that way again yesterday when he was asked which country he would represent. ‘The same one that I said a few years ago,’ he responded, tetchily.
later on, when the subject came around again, he was more forthcoming, indicating the degree of thought that went into this U-turn.
‘As a young boy it was always my dream to play for Ireland,’ he began. ‘It’s the same as the rugby players. There’s players that play for Ulster but they want to play for Ireland, because it’s seen as a whole island sport. So, when you put the olympics into the
equation and there’s a choice to be made, you really have to start thinking about your values and your beliefs.
‘you have to delve a bit deeper. It’s not just a superficial decision. It’s something that you have to really believe in. I’ve thought about that for a long time, and in the end it came down to when I was a little boy and I got that first call-up to the Ireland national squad.
‘So, it’s going to be a great experience and probably a bit nostalgic because it will take me back. It’s going to be cool.’