Zika virus: Rory McIlroy withdraws from Rio Olympics

Ireland’s golfer, Rory McIlroy has announced that he will not participate at this summer’s Olympic Games due to risk of infection from the Zika virus.

The world number four had been expected to represent Ireland with the Games staging a golf tournament for the first time in 112 years.

However, McIlroy has followed the decision made by some of his fellow professionals and pulled out of the competition, which is scheduled to be played in Rio de Janeiro between August 11 and August 14.

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In a statement, the 27-year-old said: “After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realise my health and my family’s health comes before anything else. Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.

Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen are among the list of players to have already pulled out of the event.

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