Olympics Golf: The Official Discussion Thread (merged)

[bullie76]

Frankly, golf is no more of an Olympic sport, than checkers is.

And the players know it too.

 

Yeah but what about the 'growing the game' concept that has been forced down our throat by TGC and others? Surely there is some merit to the idea. :russian_roulette:

[King_Slender]

In as of today, except for Day:

1 Jason Day AUS 2 Jordan Spieth USA 3 Dustin Johnson USA 4 Henrik Stenson SWE 5 Bubba Watson USA 6 Rickie Fowler USA 7 Danny Willett GBR 8 Justin Rose GBR 9 Sergio Garcia ESP 10 Hideki Matsuyama JPN 11 Shane Lowry IRL 12 Byeong Hun An KOR 13 Rafa Cabrera Bello ESP 14 K.T. Kim KOR 15 Emiliano Grillo ARG 16 Danny Lee NZL 17 Soren Kjeldsen DEN 18 David Lingmerth SWE 19 Kiradech Aphibarnrat THA 20 Bernd Wiesberger AUT 21 Martin Kaymer GER 22 Thongchai Jaidee THA 23 Thorbjorn Olesen DEN 24 Anirban Lahiri IND 25 Jaco Van Zyl RSA 26 Joost Luiten NED 27 Thomas Pieters BEL 28 Fabian Gomez ARG 29 Victor Dubuisson FRA 30 Scott Hend AUS 31 Francesco Molinari ITA 32 Yuta Ikeda JPN 33 Brandon Stone RSA 34 Gregory Bourdy FRA 35 David Hearn CAN 36 Wu Ashun CHN 37 Miguel Tabuena PHI 38 Ricardo Gouveia POR 39 Hao Tong Li CHN 40 Graham DeLaet CAN 41 Alex Cejka GER 42 Fabrizio Zanotti PAR 43 Padraig Harrington IRL 44 Nicolas Colsaerts BEL 45 Ryan Fox NZL 46 SSP Chawrasia IND 47 Jhonattan Vegas VEN 48 Danny Chia MAS 49 Mikko Ilonen FIN 50 Felipe Aguilar CHI 51 Adilson da Silva BRA 52 Roope Kakko FIN 53 Angelo Que PHI 54 Camilo Villegas COL 55 Siddikur Rahman BAN 56 Brendon de Jonge ZIM 57 Gavin Kyle Green MAS 58 Nino Bertasio ITA 59 Cheng Tsung Pan TPE 60 Rodolfo Cazaubon MEX

[Garush34]

Shane Lowry is out now too.

[King_Slender]

Zika is the new Ebola, Swine Flu, Bir Flu, SARS, West Nile, Anthrax....I can't believe the fear campaign people are buying into.

[bscinstnct]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

They are idealistic kids. When they grow up they'll see the Olympics is a corrupt money grab that preys on idealists while funneling money to greedy committee members so their cats can live in 5000 square foot condos. And it also has many negative effects on the city lucky enough to host it.

 

I haven't really watched the last couple of Olympics .

 

Those kids are multi millionaires ; )

 

I was just highlighting the contrast of the women being hung ho and the guys wimping out.

 

Maybe Lexi can escort Rory and Jason around since they seem scared.

[MtlJeff]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

They are idealistic kids. When they grow up they'll see the Olympics is a corrupt money grab that preys on idealists while funneling money to greedy committee members so their cats can live in 5000 square foot condos. And it also has many negative effects on the city lucky enough to host it.

 

I haven't really watched the last couple of Olympics .

 

Those kids are multi millionaires ; )

 

I was just highlighting the contrast of the women being hung ho and the guys wimping out.

 

Maybe Lexi can escort Rory and Jason around since they seem scared.

 

Hung ho?

 

That was the name of my escort yesterday

[hammy83]

^ put on your tin foil hat because your going to hear a lot about it

[rafal]

Zika gives them a convenient out. Day's presser doesn't show him in any good light either, he's not good with words really.

[JustChill]

Zika is the new Ebola, Swine Flu, Bir Flu, SARS, West Nile, Anthrax....I can't believe the fear campaign people are buying into.

I think it is more that the players just dont want to go, and Zika is an easy out for them.

 

I wouldnt want to go either. Rio looks like a shitshow

[tbowles411]

Zika is the new Ebola, Swine Flu, Bir Flu, SARS, West Nile, Anthrax....I can't believe the fear campaign people are buying into.

They are documented cases now in the US. People get sensitive when you talk about your health. I can't blame them for backing out.

[cinnepa]

I never thought Golf was fit into the Olympics to begin with, for the same reasons others have already stated. I doubt it will be back. My understanding this was a trial year and it would be determined later if it stuck around. This is turning into a disaster for the "trial year'. I'm guessing it will be one and done.

 

and not to mention it F's up the majors schedule this year....i'm sure many Pro's are thrilled about that.

[cinnepa]

The whole Olympics, not just the golf portion, seems to be shaping up to be a giant disaster. Sochi seemed to turn out OK in the end despite a lot of worry about preparations, but Rio seems miles away from being ready.

 

yeah, nothing like the 70's or so when it meant something.....nothing but a disaster now.

[hdr_ric]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

To be an Olympian is NOT the highest honor. That would be reserved for the Masters, Open, and US Open winners.

 

The ladies are not bailing on Rio b/c their tour is struggling (relatively compared to the men) and they/the LPGA NEED the exposure. I feel sorry for them having to go down to that hell hole.

 

Frankly, they should just cancel the Olympics entirely. They picked an awful spot - and the summer Olympics pretty much sucks anyway, regardless if golf is in/out.

[fairways4life]

I was really excited for Olympic golf but that excitement goes down a tick with every player that withdraws. I have a sinking feeling we might see a medal podium consisting of Anirban Lahiri, Joost Luiten and Robert Streb.

 

All kidding aside, my enthusiasm actually took a hit when I learned of the format. I wish they would've done a team format. Make it like high school or college golf where each country has 6 players and you use the best 4 scores from each day or whatever. I'd much prefer to see a team win the gold medal as opposed to just an individual.

 

We see tournaments consisting of 4 rounds of stroke play practically every single week of the year. The Olympics had a chance to do something a little different and provide a break from the same old week-to-week format. Instead, they decided to give us the same old recipe. One of the cool things about the Ryder Cup is the different formats that we don't get to see every week.

 

Also, I don't totally understand the restrictions surrounding the world golf rankings. I know there's some kind of a rule where each country can only have X number of players ranked inside the top 20 or something like that. What's the reasoning behind that? Isn't the whole idea to identify the best players? I can certainly see having a limit to the total number of players representing each country. But why do the rankings matter? A country isn't allowed to send their best lineup? I don't get it.

 

I'll still certainly watch. Just not with the same excitement.

[middie8]

I tend to think these top players like Rory have access to a little more information than we do. And those people are saying "don't go" That might even start a snowball effect (if it hasn't already) of players backing out because others backed out.

[skyking]

The athletes in amateur sports like track and field are still looking for their payday and the only way to get it is by winning a medal at the Olympics. Not saying they haven't always dreamed of winning a medal at the Olympics but let's face it, they want the endorsement money.

 

That is not an issue with pro golfers on the big tours. By not going they get some much-needed time off.

[hammer1]

I love everyone saying they are out on this tournament and might watch, haha ok you have fun watching Tom Gillis and Steve Stricker compete for the John Deere while Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Bubba, Rose, Stenson, Dustin, Rickie, Louis and Sergio are battling out for a prize that not even Tiger and Jack have. Seriously what has been done in golf before that one of these two men havent achieved? Let me think nothing. Yeah im going to be watching because its going to be huge unless we get a final group of Joost Luiten and Roope Kakko.

 

It's just like the basketball...it's sooo important..no..yes..The answer is no...not important. The olympics just aren't that big a deal anymore.

 

Paul

 

NBC paying billions for it and the TV ratings that the olympics pull night in and night out disagree with you that they arent a big deal anymore becasuse outside of the NFL it pulls the most viewers for any sporting event. NBC does a very successful golf program so of course they want another event to show. The olympics produces stars out of people that no one has heard of just 1 month prior and everyone tunes in to watch to see if they can win gold. Golf already has big big names in Rory, Spieth, Day, Rickie, Scott. This is going to be huge, i bet this pulls a higher rating than the US Open and is the second most watched golf telecast outside of Augusta.

 

World Cup soccer finals blows away Super Bowl tv audiences.

[bscinstnct]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

To be an Olympian is NOT the highest honor. That would be reserved for the Masters, Open, and US Open winners.

 

The ladies are not bailing on Rio b/c their tour is struggling (relatively compared to the men) and they/the LPGA NEED the exposure. I feel sorry for them having to go down to that hell hole.

 

Frankly, they should just cancel the Olympics entirely. They picked an awful spot - and the summer Olympics pretty much sucks anyway, regardless if golf is in/out.

 

 

http://www.nbcolympi...-put-zika-virus

 

Tennis elite going to Rio, not put off by Zika virus

 

Roger Federer was also full steam ahead. "I'll put mosquito spray on my body and take the precautions I have to," said Federer,

[Tasals]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

[duffer987]

I love everyone saying they are out on this tournament and might watch, haha ok you have fun watching Tom Gillis and Steve Stricker compete for the John Deere while Spieth, Rory, Day, Scott, Bubba, Rose, Stenson, Dustin, Rickie, Louis and Sergio are battling out for a prize that not even Tiger and Jack have. Seriously what has been done in golf before that one of these two men havent achieved? Let me think nothing. Yeah im going to be watching because its going to be huge unless we get a final group of Joost Luiten and Roope Kakko.

 

It's just like the basketball...it's sooo important..no..yes..The answer is no...not important. The olympics just aren't that big a deal anymore.

 

Paul

 

NBC paying billions for it and the TV ratings that the olympics pull night in and night out disagree with you that they arent a big deal anymore becasuse outside of the NFL it pulls the most viewers for any sporting event. NBC does a very successful golf program so of course they want another event to show. The olympics produces stars out of people that no one has heard of just 1 month prior and everyone tunes in to watch to see if they can win gold. Golf already has big big names in Rory, Spieth, Day, Rickie, Scott. This is going to be huge, i bet this pulls a higher rating than the US Open and is the second most watched golf telecast outside of Augusta.

 

World Cup soccer finals blows away Super Bowl tv audiences.

 

Not in the USA - which is where NBC bought rights for.

[lopey986]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

 

Zika is just one of a multitude of reasons a lot of people don't want anything to do with the Olympics in Rio, it's just the easiest reason to publicly state without any backlash.

[Oldboy]

hell even the mayor of Rio is saying the Olympics could be a complete failure.. the police and fire brigades arent getting paid and are protesting .. murder and robbery rates are up between 15-20% this year .. its a clusterf*ck .. they paid the bribe and forgot to fund the event .. i'd stay home too

 

https://www.rt.com/news/348645-brazil-rio-olympics-police-protest/

[bscinstnct]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

 

Zika is just one of a multitude of reasons a lot of people don't want anything to do with the Olympics in Rio, it's just the easiest reason to publicly state without any backlash.

 

Agree. There thousands of men and women representing 200 countries and dozens of sports will participate.

 

Many of the highest paid athletes in the world will be there.

 

For golf, when the top ranked players claim Zika is the reason while so many other equally accomplished athletes will be there, the world hears,

 

"Ahh, I have plenty of money, this pays nothing, it's inconvenient, so who gives a crap?"

 

Kind of reinforces the notions of many about the game and the people who play it.

[Tasals]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

 

Zika is just one of a multitude of reasons a lot of people don't want anything to do with the Olympics in Rio, it's just the easiest reason to publicly state without any backlash.

 

Agree. There thousands of men and women representing 200 countries and dozens of sports will participate.

 

Many of the highest paid athletes in the world will be there.

 

For golf, when the top ranked players claim Zika is the reason while so many other equally accomplished athletes will be there, the world hears,

 

"Ahh, I have plenty of money, this pays nothing, it's inconvenient, so who gives a crap?"

 

Kind of reinforces the notions of many about the game and the people who play it.

 

Lebron, Curry, a number of other top tier NBA talent have also backed out of the olympics. Its gotten to where the USA Mens team are not staying in the olympic Village but a hotel with additional security for those who are going.

[GeorgeHWB]

There's no chance I would play in Rio if I was a successful PGA Tour player. I give everyone a free pass to skip it. It's going to be a s***show, and that's even assuming you don't get mugged or infected with a virus.

[granite45]

This is a gamble that Rio lost. Some people could try to have a little empathy instead of trashing the place constantly. And, they certainly won't be the first to lose economically and in a big way on the Olympics (see: Greece).

 

When Rio made the bid, gas was approaching $5 a gallon and Petrobras had just found huge off shore reserves. The sky was the limit. Obviously the collapse of the oil market and complete mismanagement/corruption was not what the average Brazilian had in mind.

 

Think of what going "all in" on the auto industry did to Detroit and that's what just happened to Rio. Obviously, the city and country expected to be in a much better place than they are now...

 

 

[lopey986]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

 

Zika is just one of a multitude of reasons a lot of people don't want anything to do with the Olympics in Rio, it's just the easiest reason to publicly state without any backlash.

 

Agree. There thousands of men and women representing 200 countries and dozens of sports will participate.

 

Many of the highest paid athletes in the world will be there.

 

For golf, when the top ranked players claim Zika is the reason while so many other equally accomplished athletes will be there, the world hears,

 

"Ahh, I have plenty of money, this pays nothing, it's inconvenient, so who gives a crap?"

 

Kind of reinforces the notions of many about the game and the people who play it.

 

A lot of those athletes get to play inside. Golfers would be outside for 6+ hours a day (that's probably minimum) so Zika is probably a bigger concern to them than most athletes.

[larrybud]

This is a gamble that Rio lost. Some people could try to have a little empathy instead of trashing the place constantly. And, they certainly won't be the first to lose economically and in a big way on the Olympics (see: Greece).

 

When Rio made the bid, gas was approaching $5 a gallon and Petrobras had just found huge off shore reserves. The sky was the limit. Obviously the collapse of the oil market and complete mismanagement/corruption was not what the average Brazilian had in mind.

 

Name one city 10 years after hosting the Olympics that were better off because of the Olympics...

 

It just doesn't happen. The largest cities can absorb the loss to a point, but not the city (even as large as it is) of Rio.

 

Sames goes with EVERY public funded stadium for NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL teams. The threat is always that they'll move the team (go ahead!) if they don't get their taxpayer funded stadium, and it ends up being a loss for taxpayers every time.

[hdr_ric]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

 

Zika is just one of a multitude of reasons a lot of people don't want anything to do with the Olympics in Rio, it's just the easiest reason to publicly state without any backlash.

 

Agree. There thousands of men and women representing 200 countries and dozens of sports will participate.

 

Many of the highest paid athletes in the world will be there.

 

For golf, when the top ranked players claim Zika is the reason while so many other equally accomplished athletes will be there, the world hears,

 

"Ahh, I have plenty of money, this pays nothing, it's inconvenient, so who gives a crap?"

 

Kind of reinforces the notions of many about the game and the people who play it.

 

Lebron, Curry, a number of other top tier NBA talent have also backed out of the olympics. Its gotten to where the USA Mens team are not staying in the olympic Village but a hotel with additional security for those who are going.

 

USA Basketball roster 2016

PG: Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry

SG: Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan

SF: Kevin Durant, Paul George, Harrison Barnes

PF: Carmelo Anthony, Draymond Green

C: DeMarcus Cousins, DeAndre Jodan

 

USA Basketball players who backed out:

 

PG: Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, John Wall

SG: James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard

SF: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard

PF: Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge

C: Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond

 

 

Which is the better "team"??? The basketball players are smart enough to realize that Zika sucks, Rio/Brazil sucks, and the Olympics in general just aren't that big a deal. A golf major or an NBA championship is a million times better.

[Motley]

All the men wimping out.

 

And the ladies are the ones with some *alls.

 

Rofl!

 

http://ftw.usatoday....lf-is-important

 

Lexi Thompson just owned everyone who doesn't think Olympic golf is important

 

“I think it’s amazing. I think it shows how much golf is growing as a sport. Once I heard that golf is back in the Olympics after such a long time. It’s an amazing experience to be able to say you’re an Olympian … It’s an honor to represent your country in any tournament, for that matter, but to be an Olympian is the highest honor.”

 

 

https://www.olympic....f-olympic-glory

 

GOLFER KO DREAMING OF OLYMPIC GLORY

 

 

“Just to be able to compete in the Olympics and play for your country in front of an international stage, I think that will be a dream come true for all the athletes to say, ‘Hey, I’m an Olympian’. If you end up getting a medal that’s great, but to say I’m an Olympian, I think that’s a pretty proud thing to say.”

 

Those are two younger women on the LPGA, who I assume are not currently planning on having children in the next year. The Zika virus also has the nasty issue of staying active in mens testicles for 10-14 weeks and is advised to use protection for 6-8 months after primary infection. Women to my knowledge do not carry the virus sexually for that long after infection. All that being said, Rory, Day, Scott i get backing out. Rory seemed like he was planning on having kids soonish in his Ferhety interview, Day has said he wants more kids, and I dont know about Scott. I get the want of not even risking transmission to a kid you were planning on having and it ending up with microcephaly. I also get why these younger women are still going, its in the eyes of the world worth far more than any of their majors. I assume we will see younger players from the PGA still go - guys who are not planning on starting a family any time soon, I also expect to see some "older" LPGA players backing out who want to start families soon.

 

Yes Zika is not a new virus, its original area is relatively tiny band along the equator. However the microcephaly has far greater rates in the Brazilian version of the virus.

 

Zika is just one of a multitude of reasons a lot of people don't want anything to do with the Olympics in Rio, it's just the easiest reason to publicly state without any backlash.

 

Agree. There thousands of men and women representing 200 countries and dozens of sports will participate.

 

Many of the highest paid athletes in the world will be there.

 

For golf, when the top ranked players claim Zika is the reason while so many other equally accomplished athletes will be there, the world hears,

 

"Ahh, I have plenty of money, this pays nothing, it's inconvenient, so who gives a crap?"

 

Kind of reinforces the notions of many about the game and the people who play it.

 

A lot of those athletes get to play inside. Golfers would be outside for 6+ hours a day (that's probably minimum) so Zika is probably a bigger concern to them than most athletes.

 

No not really. A lot of the games are played outside. Track & field races, marathon, boating/rowing events, equestrian, shooting, beach volleyball, soccer, cycling.