The Olympics are idiotic. Every international sport has a better forum for its championships that isn't some silly excuse for phony patriotism. I'd be perfectly happy if the Olympics went away for good.
5
It's interesting that Jordan Spieth said it would be a goal of his to be at Tokyo in 2020. Clearly, it's the location of this year's games that somehow has dissuaded him. Is he aware that millions of tourists come to Rio de Janeiro every year, and the vast majority of them have a fabulous time? Surely his personal wealth would be enough to afford him protection from whatever security concerns he may have. Of course, his decision not to go to Rio is a personal one that he has every right to make, but one can't help being disappointed in it, and wondering if he is simply being misinformed.
Golf has a well developed competitive system in which talent rises to the top, and is handsomely rewarded. Why in the world should a professional golfer risk his health and multi million dollar career to compete in the Olympics. And why are millionaire professionals even permitted to compete?
7
As a former fan of Rory McIlroy, I'm done. This over-pampered little brat is sickening to listen to. He denigrates his own sport that allowed him to establish an overwhelmingly lavish lifestyle and basically gives it the finger. Well pal, you're recent golf hasn't done cartwheels: unclutch putting, mis-calculations on club selection, weak chipping, the inexplicably bad shots leading to your inability to close. Son, your game belies a bigger problem: the money went to your head. You are spawning a little kingdom of Nike instead of laying it all out for the game. So you don't play golf to help the game grow, huh? With the declining play, golf needs all the help it can get, but not from you!!?? You have foot in the brain disease, pal. You need a severe re-adjustment of your priorities. I will NOT be rooting for you this weekend or any other until I see a radical coming to your senses. You were a kid that I and so many others LOVED watching you win the US Open and dedicate it to your sweet dad. But you have veered off the main fairway......and I hope you get that part of your long game straightened out before you lose the things most precious in life.
6
It is appropriate that the games are now being snubbed the overpaid spoiled brats who currently occupy the top golf rankings. Amazing how good the Olympics always turn out to be despite the best efforts of those in charge to ruin it. In their insatiable appetite for a quick buck, the Olympic committee dropped wrestling in order to include golf in the upcoming games. Good grief, the ancient Greeks had wrestling competition in the original Olympics! What are they thinking?
The beauty of the Olympic games is that it gives those who struggle for perfection in obscure sports for simple love of the game and competition a rare day in the sun. Professional golfers, basketball players and tennis players appear on TV every week. They don't need the Olympics. And their inclusion is ruining the Olympic games.
The beauty of the Olympic games is that it gives those who struggle for perfection in obscure sports for simple love of the game and competition a rare day in the sun. Professional golfers, basketball players and tennis players appear on TV every week. They don't need the Olympics. And their inclusion is ruining the Olympic games.
6
1) If an artist does not want to "grow painting" so that everyone paints, there is no criticism. It is wonderful if a great golfer wants others to enjoy the game, but if a great golfer is an introverted perfectionist who only wants to focus on his own game, that is fine with me.
2) Also, I see many of golf's "administrators" who are supporting Trump criticize Rory, as if they forget Trump said this a few months ago, interviewed by Fortune magazie:
"I think I'm in a minority, but I feel differently about golf," Trump told Fortune. "I feel golf should be an aspirational game, something people aspire to [play]. People should come to golf, golf shouldn't come to them."
"[That attitude] may be elitist, and perhaps that's what golf needs. Let golf be elitist. When I say 'aspire,' that's a positive word. Let people work hard and aspire to someday be able to play golf. To afford to play it. They're trying to teach golf to people who will never be able to really play it."
[Quotes from CBC sports website archive.]
2) Also, I see many of golf's "administrators" who are supporting Trump criticize Rory, as if they forget Trump said this a few months ago, interviewed by Fortune magazie:
"I think I'm in a minority, but I feel differently about golf," Trump told Fortune. "I feel golf should be an aspirational game, something people aspire to [play]. People should come to golf, golf shouldn't come to them."
"[That attitude] may be elitist, and perhaps that's what golf needs. Let golf be elitist. When I say 'aspire,' that's a positive word. Let people work hard and aspire to someday be able to play golf. To afford to play it. They're trying to teach golf to people who will never be able to really play it."
[Quotes from CBC sports website archive.]
6
If possible, let's put aside for a moment the decision to go or not to go to Rio.
What emerges here is the appalling selfishness of Rory McIlroy.
Others have chosen to go to Rio, and rather than wish them well in the competition, McIlroy did his best to diminish their choice and their upcoming event. That is the antithesis of sportsmanship.
McIlroy says he's going to watch `the stuff that matters.' In other words, he's going to spend the entire Olympics looking in the mirror.
Hey, Rory, did the fans at the Honda tournament matter when you walked off?
What emerges here is the appalling selfishness of Rory McIlroy.
Others have chosen to go to Rio, and rather than wish them well in the competition, McIlroy did his best to diminish their choice and their upcoming event. That is the antithesis of sportsmanship.
McIlroy says he's going to watch `the stuff that matters.' In other words, he's going to spend the entire Olympics looking in the mirror.
Hey, Rory, did the fans at the Honda tournament matter when you walked off?
7
Golf in the Olympics would only be interesting if conducted as a team competition, with each country having 2-3 representatives in a match play format like the Ryder Cup or even World Cup in soccer. Then it makes it more interesting to watch the team dynamics and playing for your country, not yourself which they do every week. Watching pros compete in medal play at yet another event is plain dull......
7
Tennis, golf, baseball, basketball - all sports where the top athletes already make millions and have no need for the Olympic platform. I play golf myself but it does not belong in the Olympics. And to think that they were thinking of eliminating wrestling...
9
“Probably the events like track and field, swimming, diving — the stuff that matters.” Spoken like a true Olympian.
WJoseph. San Francisco, CA
Well, we see. It just happens it is Mr. Pennington's job, and the othe NYT reporter's, is to go to Rio and cover the Olympics, one for which they are paid well, and within which they will be provided extensive security. How it it in any way, Mr. Speith's, Mr McElroy's, or any other golpher's responsibility to travel to another country, disabled by major health, environmental, political, and security concerns? First, they are a million times more known ( and thus vulnerable) than most other reporters or athletes there. And who says golf, introduced to the Olympics by perhaps the planet's most corrupt sports organization, creates a duty for someone who weekly represents their county nationally and even internationally. Give these guys a break; I applaud them for their honestly, and wish they would have been even more outspoken about their real reasons for not going!
Well, we see. It just happens it is Mr. Pennington's job, and the othe NYT reporter's, is to go to Rio and cover the Olympics, one for which they are paid well, and within which they will be provided extensive security. How it it in any way, Mr. Speith's, Mr McElroy's, or any other golpher's responsibility to travel to another country, disabled by major health, environmental, political, and security concerns? First, they are a million times more known ( and thus vulnerable) than most other reporters or athletes there. And who says golf, introduced to the Olympics by perhaps the planet's most corrupt sports organization, creates a duty for someone who weekly represents their county nationally and even internationally. Give these guys a break; I applaud them for their honestly, and wish they would have been even more outspoken about their real reasons for not going!
8
I have never liked the idea of allowing professional athletes in the Olympics, whether basketball or golf.
9
The Olympics have devolved into a 2-week advertising marathon for America's proud poisons, Coke and McDonald's, punctuated by sports. They're almost unbearable to watch.
Spieth, McIlroy, Day and other golfers of their caliber have nothing to lose by withdrawing. They're already established champions, with wins and endorsements aplenty. The Olympic Games will never be the legend-making or reputation-burnishing event for golfers that they are for swimmers or gymnasts, and with much of the PGA tour to be played post-Rio, why would an athlete risk illness (more likely from contaminated water than Zika at that time of year) and the remainder of his season? They've all calculated that participating poses more downside than rewards. Good for them.
Spieth, McIlroy, Day and other golfers of their caliber have nothing to lose by withdrawing. They're already established champions, with wins and endorsements aplenty. The Olympic Games will never be the legend-making or reputation-burnishing event for golfers that they are for swimmers or gymnasts, and with much of the PGA tour to be played post-Rio, why would an athlete risk illness (more likely from contaminated water than Zika at that time of year) and the remainder of his season? They've all calculated that participating poses more downside than rewards. Good for them.
13
Can we get back to having amateur athletes representing their nations?
Enough with the over-exposed and over-paid pros masquerading as Olympic
hopefuls.
Enough with the over-exposed and over-paid pros masquerading as Olympic
hopefuls.
11
The Olympics is a major commercial event. Because of TV money, it has lost most of its "Chariots of Fire" gleam. How many of the athletes aren't professionals, i.e., paid for their performances pre- and post-Olympics.
1
I am not sorry so many Pro Golfers are not going to Rio. I have a problem with any sport that sends pros to the Olympics--basketball also comes to mind. The Olympics should be reserved for amateur athletes. Golf should open the Olympics to the best college and other amateur golfers--the next generation of Pros. That's where the buzz will come from. U.S. Pro golfers represent their Country in the Ryder Cup and President's Cup tournaments. Leave the Olympics to the amateurs.
6
The relative approaches of Spieth and McIlroy are distinctions without differences.
Jordan, Rory, Dustin and Jason should all go to Rio and represent their countries. Their sport, which they have done very well by (thanks largely to Tiger Woods) has been trying to grow they game globally. Make it more accessible. Less elitist. Having golf as an Olympic sport is a huge step forward in this regard. The various golf organizations worked very hard for this.
The top players' decision to stay home not only detracts from the level of competition, but reinforces exactly the perception that golf is attempting to change.
The zika virus has been blown way out of proportion by our media. Like everything. (Last week we had a two day heat wave on the East Coast.) You would have thought the world was coming to an end.
Does anyone serious wonder what Tiger Woods would do if he were healthy?
Jordan, Rory, Dustin and Jason should all go to Rio and represent their countries. Their sport, which they have done very well by (thanks largely to Tiger Woods) has been trying to grow they game globally. Make it more accessible. Less elitist. Having golf as an Olympic sport is a huge step forward in this regard. The various golf organizations worked very hard for this.
The top players' decision to stay home not only detracts from the level of competition, but reinforces exactly the perception that golf is attempting to change.
The zika virus has been blown way out of proportion by our media. Like everything. (Last week we had a two day heat wave on the East Coast.) You would have thought the world was coming to an end.
Does anyone serious wonder what Tiger Woods would do if he were healthy?
4
The people who follow golf and those who actually play already have 4 Majors, the Players, FedEx Cup with its 4 tournaments and huge prize potential, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and the various WGC events to watch. Olympics, in Brazil, of all places? Does it help it help the players on the money lists, with FedEx Cup or Race to Dubai points or in world rankings? Does winning the Olympics gold medal get them a multi-year qualification exemption on the US or Euro tours or for any of the Majors? Who knows? Who cares? ......
It'll likely have less interest than a routine regular PGA event. I won't be watching unless there is nothing else on.
It'll likely have less interest than a routine regular PGA event. I won't be watching unless there is nothing else on.
1
Yesterday on the Golf Channel the doyens of golf were trying to put lipstick on a pig. (Olympic golf). The press is always complaining they can not get a honest interview...when Rory gives them one there is hell to pay. Go Rory, no political correctness please!
4
Here we go. Bill Pennington doesn't like any athlete that skips the Olympics. Does the average person blame any athlete that chooses not to go to what should be a fantastic destination, but barely has the public infrastructure of a third world country? As a golfer and someone who watches men's and women's golf every weekend, I couldn't care less that golf is in the Olympics. The Olympics should be the reward for the amateur athletes for whom the Olympics is the ultimate sign of success in their sport. So Pennington, Spieth misled his sponsors and isn't helping grow the game of golf? Really?
2
Olympic golf. Please.
3
Finally someone has the guts to say what everyone else is thinking, "golf has no place in the olympics". It's a shame if players feel like they are demonised by their respective countries for not competing. Adam Scott copped criticism (in Australia) for not wanting to play in the olympics but I applaud his decision.
I will watch the Open with great interest as I will the Olympics, but for goodness sake let each competition stand alone.
I will watch the Open with great interest as I will the Olympics, but for goodness sake let each competition stand alone.
1
"Grow the game" seems like a flimsy reason to begin with. The R & A and USGA have done a pretty good job already as there are pro players on the men's and women's tours from all corners of the world and tournaments played everywhere.
Nobody wants to mention security concerns but Brazil is hardly giving anybody the feeling that the Games are under complete control.
Nobody wants to mention security concerns but Brazil is hardly giving anybody the feeling that the Games are under complete control.
2
Golf is a sport totally unsuited for the Olympics, at least in the form being used for the Rio games. Compare Tiger Woods at the peak of his game to Usain Bolt. Even at his best, TW was probably only had about a 20% chance to win any given tournament he entered. Who wants to watch some player ranked 50th in the world win a gold medal, unless he/she is from Brazil? While Olympic action is going on all around who wants to watch a player reading a 6-foot putt when, at least here in the US, we can do that four days a week every week if we want?
If the powers that be could come up with some sort of team format it might make it more interesting, but to structure golf in the same format as it is played every other week of the year is not inspiring.
If the powers that be could come up with some sort of team format it might make it more interesting, but to structure golf in the same format as it is played every other week of the year is not inspiring.
1
Walker Cup? Solheim Cup? Ryder Cup?
count me in too, No place for golf in the Olympics.
4
Part of me agrees with Rory. I have believed the Olympics would be better served if the original events were paramount: running fast, jumping, lifting things, throwing things. Can one say that too many events have been added and have consequently taken something away from the core ethos of the Olympic games and not be considered a heretic?
2
I am completely baffled by the comments saying that the Olympics are the “only shot” every four years to win competitions!
The Olympics used to be ONLY for unpaid amateurs. Now athletes not only train year round they get paid well for participating and placing in tournaments EVERY WEEK! Michael Phelps could be in competitive tourneys every week! There are 4,000 sanctioned US events every year in swimming. 52 international!
Pro track and field events throughout the year. Gymnastic events every week.
The USA switched to pro athletes when they could no longer keep up with professionals. You know why the Miracle on Ice in 1980 was such a big deal? We still had amateur hockey players NOT NHL players against the Russians. Now we have NHL players.
The difference with the Olympics is the same with the World Cup in Futbal. Now the athletes are playing for their countries every four years instead of just for themselves....which country can get the most gold medals or overall medals. That’s why it’s covered on TV for two weeks- Jingoism, nativism at its worst? best?
BTW, many pro tennis players won’t play in the Olympics as they don’t get points for rankings--important for seeding in tournaments and no prize money! The singles winner for the US Open in tennis gets $3.6 MILLION. Olympics? Zilch.
You can watch top athletes throughout the year every year---they just aren’t on TV for the most part--unless it’s the Prefontaine or Penn Relays etc.
The Olympics used to be ONLY for unpaid amateurs. Now athletes not only train year round they get paid well for participating and placing in tournaments EVERY WEEK! Michael Phelps could be in competitive tourneys every week! There are 4,000 sanctioned US events every year in swimming. 52 international!
Pro track and field events throughout the year. Gymnastic events every week.
The USA switched to pro athletes when they could no longer keep up with professionals. You know why the Miracle on Ice in 1980 was such a big deal? We still had amateur hockey players NOT NHL players against the Russians. Now we have NHL players.
The difference with the Olympics is the same with the World Cup in Futbal. Now the athletes are playing for their countries every four years instead of just for themselves....which country can get the most gold medals or overall medals. That’s why it’s covered on TV for two weeks- Jingoism, nativism at its worst? best?
BTW, many pro tennis players won’t play in the Olympics as they don’t get points for rankings--important for seeding in tournaments and no prize money! The singles winner for the US Open in tennis gets $3.6 MILLION. Olympics? Zilch.
You can watch top athletes throughout the year every year---they just aren’t on TV for the most part--unless it’s the Prefontaine or Penn Relays etc.
3
I think that 2016 Olympics should be called off for TWO reasons:
1) We still don’t know the full effect of the Zika virus, how long it stays in the body and in the sperm. These young male golfers have EVERY right to say no! Jordan Spieth already has a “special needs” sister. He won’t be taking a chance on fathering a child with microcephaly, a small brain and likely to die by age 2.
2) The water used for sailing and other water sports is contaminated with ungodly bacteria and raw sewage. We coddle athletes enough--it’s not as if there aren’t other venues year round for all sports.
Why on earth is Rory’s decision of any consequence! Let HIM make the decision. I’m not of child bearing age and I wouldn’t want to be around a quickly mutating Zika virus!
So golf wants to expand globally and wanted these Olympics to show off. 50% of all golf courses are in the USA and fewer people play every year. It’s VERY expensive--a good set of clubs is $1300. Green fees can be over $100 for 18 holes. You need special shoes, clothes, sleeves of golf balls--and the time! It used to be that you play 18 holes in 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Now with wannabe pros lining up every putt, marking after their sixth and seventh putt, waiting for someone to hit before walking up to your ball--NOT KNOWING THE RULES, 18 holes can now take six hours!
The Olympics costs countries a LOT of money, there’s too much corruption anyway--just get rid of it. Countries can’t even house and feed their citizens.
1) We still don’t know the full effect of the Zika virus, how long it stays in the body and in the sperm. These young male golfers have EVERY right to say no! Jordan Spieth already has a “special needs” sister. He won’t be taking a chance on fathering a child with microcephaly, a small brain and likely to die by age 2.
2) The water used for sailing and other water sports is contaminated with ungodly bacteria and raw sewage. We coddle athletes enough--it’s not as if there aren’t other venues year round for all sports.
Why on earth is Rory’s decision of any consequence! Let HIM make the decision. I’m not of child bearing age and I wouldn’t want to be around a quickly mutating Zika virus!
So golf wants to expand globally and wanted these Olympics to show off. 50% of all golf courses are in the USA and fewer people play every year. It’s VERY expensive--a good set of clubs is $1300. Green fees can be over $100 for 18 holes. You need special shoes, clothes, sleeves of golf balls--and the time! It used to be that you play 18 holes in 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Now with wannabe pros lining up every putt, marking after their sixth and seventh putt, waiting for someone to hit before walking up to your ball--NOT KNOWING THE RULES, 18 holes can now take six hours!
The Olympics costs countries a LOT of money, there’s too much corruption anyway--just get rid of it. Countries can’t even house and feed their citizens.
3
I'm as avid a golfer and golf follower as can be, but the notion of golf as an Olympic sport strikes me as ludicrous. Golf has its majors. Let the track & field athletes, the swimmers, et al., have theirs. And at the same time, keep the venue in one location, i.e., Greece. As the man said, "Simplify, simplify."
DJ
DJ
10
Done. Won't support the sport? Get out of the way...
1
Given that most people probably forgot that golf was an Olympic sport, this hardly counts as devastating news.
3
I can't believe any athletes are going to participate in this Zika fest with sewage running in waterways and overall miserable conditions. Who needs it?
4
Golf should not be an Olympic sport. Golf should be played by individuals, not nation versus nation. It is a fun thing. And professional golf players should stay out of the Olympics, they have plenty of pro tournaments to compete in.
4
To be frank, no one should be going to the games in Rio. It's an appalling mess!
2
What, they're going to cut back and forth among contests for the title of fastest, biggest, strongest man or woman on Earth, and some guy in plaid pants huddled over a 4-foot putt? Let's hope this is one and done.
Presumably, like everything else in the Olympics, golf is all about the real estate development money. When it's over, some developer will have a bunch of public money in the bank, plus a nice golf course around which to build some homes for the wealthy few.
Presumably, like everything else in the Olympics, golf is all about the real estate development money. When it's over, some developer will have a bunch of public money in the bank, plus a nice golf course around which to build some homes for the wealthy few.
22
Sure - once we get rid of silly golf, we can concentrate on the real sports like sailing, handball, shooting, riding horses, walking and trampoline.
1
Golfers in a tournament are outside in the grasses for six or more hours for six straight days, including practice days and times. Some will be out starting at dawn, while others finishing at sunset, both are prime mosquito periods.
Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are two young men thinking about getting married and having children. Jason Day undoubtedly wants the option to have more children. We have all heard about Zika transmission through heterosexual sex. No one knows enough about Zika to know how long remains active the human body.
I imagine both McIlroy and Spieth thought that with four Majors to make their history each year, they have many more opportunities for recognition than the swimmers, divers, track and field athletes do. We all know that these athletes may have one chance for fame, which in many sports occurs just once every four years. I believe McIlroy was saying that the chance for athletes in those other sports deserve their moment of glory. If a swimmer is lucky, she or he will get a chance four years from now. If unlucky, that swimmer may not get another chance.
Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth are two young men thinking about getting married and having children. Jason Day undoubtedly wants the option to have more children. We have all heard about Zika transmission through heterosexual sex. No one knows enough about Zika to know how long remains active the human body.
I imagine both McIlroy and Spieth thought that with four Majors to make their history each year, they have many more opportunities for recognition than the swimmers, divers, track and field athletes do. We all know that these athletes may have one chance for fame, which in many sports occurs just once every four years. I believe McIlroy was saying that the chance for athletes in those other sports deserve their moment of glory. If a swimmer is lucky, she or he will get a chance four years from now. If unlucky, that swimmer may not get another chance.
18
And the sailors/windsurfers will sail in sewage
9
Who cares. You can watch great golf anytime. The Olympics are an opportunity to watch track and field, swimming/diving, gymnastics, and a host of other sports we would otherwise never tune in to see.
24
I love tennis but it should not be part of the Olympics any more then golf should. I agree with M that sports like swimming and track and wrestling should be the foundation of the Olympics, not sports that bring in millions to athletes and sponsors. This attempt to add sports like golf are simply about making more money for big companies like Coke.
31
"In his view, Olympians were athletes who had worked tirelessly and often in anonymity — runners, swimmers and divers — to qualify for the event that was the pinnacle of their sport."
Exactly.
Exactly.
41
When almost everyone agrees that the Olympics have become oversized and ungainly, there was no reason to add golf. Even McIlroy said that he wasn't going to watch the Olympic golf, he would follow the sports "that counted, like athletics and swimming." The golfers care more about winning the Open, the tennis players would really rather win a Grand Slam, and the basketball players would rather win the NBA Championships. The goal should be to shrink the Olympics, rather than add every sport which might expand TV viewership for NBC.
43
I fully agree that back to basics is the way forward for the Olympics and sports like Tennis and Golf have better showcases elsewhere. Adding to your comment: "The goal should be to shrink the Olympics, rather than add every sport which might expand TV viewership for NBC." I would add that most of the traditional Olympic sports are of no interest to NBC whatsoever outside of the Olympics and that goes for the winter Olympics also. They scoop them all up once every four years, and drop them immediately the Olympics are over.
4
Why all the presumed handwringing? Golf is a game, not a true sport, and it has no business being in the Olympics. So, I can only hope the lack of top-name golfers in Rio will spell the death knell for Olympic golf. Let it die quickly and completely.
18
Agreed, this will enable us to view more of the archery, sailing, and shooting.
1
I have zero interest in Olympic golf. A field of competitors where virtually everyone is capable of winning the medals, it just depends on who had a good day.
The Olympics have gotten way too big. Who will miss golf, when we see these guys every weekend, all summer long. And I'm a golf fan!!
The Olympics have gotten way too big. Who will miss golf, when we see these guys every weekend, all summer long. And I'm a golf fan!!
21
Golf's leadership deserves the blame here, for pushing to get the sport included in the Olympics but then failing to convince the players to buy in. A spectacular PR own goal. It's not McIlroy's fault he has zero interest in Olympic golf and is suddenly being told to go play some exhibition tournament in Rio during the middle of a season.
I'm sure money has a lot to do with it, but don't forget the Ryder Cup. These guys care passionately about playing for Europe or the US *when it's a golf tradition*. It's lamentable that this Olympic experiment is coming unglued, but I can't fault professional golfers for sizing up Rio 2016 and then taking a pass.
I'm sure money has a lot to do with it, but don't forget the Ryder Cup. These guys care passionately about playing for Europe or the US *when it's a golf tradition*. It's lamentable that this Olympic experiment is coming unglued, but I can't fault professional golfers for sizing up Rio 2016 and then taking a pass.
17
This decision was made in Tiger era when these guys were in high school. It had the buy in of Tiger who felt it important to represent his country and continues to try and introduce golf to new populations just as many young M/W pro basketball players enjoy introducing basketball to kids all over the world. The Olympic committee certainly went for the idea of grabbing a part of Tiger's viewership plus his ambassadorship. Everyone was excited with the possibilities for the new era in golf and didn't anticipate generation "me" takeover. Even though just a couple of years ago he was discussing pride represent N.Ireland but we know how fickle Rory can be...http://usat.ly/1nueZRa
7
Well said.
5
Golf in the Olympics is a work-in-progress. Don't lay all the stumbles out of the gate at the feet of the poor golfers who are caught in the middle between the IOC, the USGA, the European Golf Assn, etc. etc.