Irish boxer Darren O’Neill believes Team Ireland is better off without Rory McIlroy at the forthcoming Olympics, but says it is a “kick in the teeth” for other Rio hopefuls.
O’Neill, whose own Olympic dream was shattered this week when he lost in the last 16 of the penultimate qualifier in Baku, said he was unimpressed by the golfer’s decision.
The four-time major winner revealed today he has decided against representing Ireland in Rio over concerns surrounding the Zika virus.
Team leader Paul McGinley says he respectful of the decision made by the Co Down player, but O’Neill posted on Twitter earlier today his thoughts on the decision.
“I have cried tears & spilled blood in trying to qualify for Rio. This affirms my opinions. We are better w/o him!!” he wrote.
"For the likes of myself, it’s a kick in the teeth"
Speaking on the RTÉ Radio 1’s Joe Duffy Show, the Kilkenny native, who captained the boxing team at London 2012, admitted the withdrawal was difficult for him to accept.
“I’m sure it was a difficult one [decision] for him, but for the likes of myself, it’s a kick in the teeth,” he said.
“I’m in Azerbaijan at the moment where I was hoping to try and qualify myself and unfortunately came up just short.
“I’m still feeling the pain of that. To see somebody someone who had a chance to represent their country at the Olympic Games, in my opinion, has degraded the achievements and sense of pride you can have.
“To not take that chance is a kick in the face to me.
“That’s his option...but I find it a difficult choice.”
O’Neill has tried desperately to qualify for Rio, moving up almost two stone in order to give himself the best chance to make the Games.
Despite winning his opening bout in Azerbaijan, O’Neill had to win the competition to claim the sole Olympic place on offer in the 91kg class, but was on the wrong end of the judges' verdict after three close rounds.
With the long-drawn out saga over which country McIlroy would represent, today’s decision only adds to the disillusionment for the boxer.
“There was such controversy at the start whether he would declare for Ireland or England and then just to have it like this...as I said it’s a kick to the likes of myself,” he told listeners.
“I took a massive gamble when I moved from 75kg to 91kg, which is over two stone heavier than I was, so I’m facing a lot bigger opponents, taking a gamble to try and qualify.
“To try and get that qualification spot to represent your country at an Olympic Games...London was two of the greatest weeks of my life and you are constantly chasing that feeling and that pride again.
“I was a little bit unimpressed with how it played out. That’s personal to me because I would give anything and everything and I have done over the last year to try and qualify.
“It’s different for each individual, but as a boxer we give absolutely everything we possibly can to get a foot on the plane.”
O’Neill says that while he and his fellow athletes were made aware of the concerns, they were reassured of their safety and that was good enough for the man who represented Kilkenny hurlers at U21 level.
“You just have to face those things if it’s worth the risk. If it’s worth it to you, you have to take that chance.
“Representing your country at the Olympic Games is the greatest honour you could possibly achieve as far as I’m concerned.
“I haven’t come across anyone yet who wouldn’t take the risk or the chance to represent their country.”
“Just to throw it away a little by blaming Zika and we have the world’s best doctors and healthcare, the Institute of Sport and Olympic Council"
Natalya Coyle, who will represent Ireland in the modern day pentathlon, says she was “disappointed” with the news and has no concerns over her safety in Brazil.
“I was disappointed. Not for him, but I think it is such an honour to represent your country,” she said.
“There are so many athletes who work for four or eight or 12 years and don’t get to go.
“Just to throw it away a little by blaming Zika and we have the world’s best doctors and healthcare, the Institute of Sport and Olympic Council.
“Everyone to their own, that’s his decision.”
O’Neill reiterated his belief that the Irish team would benefit without somebody like McIlroy who wasn’t fully committed to the cause.
“One of the great things about us in London [2012] was that even though we were all different disciplines and sports, we all came together collectively as a team and I think that’s what made us such a fantastic team and gave us such a fantastic experience.
“For a team going there [Rio] you need to have that kind of teamwork and morale, so everyone needs to be on board and fully committed.”
McGinley was made aware of McIllroy's decision late on Tuesday night.
"It was a surprise and it's disappointing, but understandable," was McGinley's reaction when he spoke to RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke.
"It's his decision. It's not something that I as team leader can not get involved in. The decision is made and we move forward with new representatives in golf for Ireland at the Olympics.
"This is a health concern that he has. He's discussed it with his family and has come to this conclusion. He notified us last night to say that 'this is the decision I've come to. This is what's going to happen'."
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, expressed his disappointment at the decision.
“While I understand Rory’s decision, I have to say that it is disappointing that Rory will not be representing Ireland at the Olympics in Rio,” the TD said.
“I fully respect his decision. The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) and their medical team have taken their lead from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the zika situation, as they do in all matters.
“I am aware that the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the Department of Foreign Affairs have also been liaising with the OCI concerning the Rio Games.
The International Olympic Committee has provided the OCI with every assurance and the OCI has indicated its confidence that the Rio Games will be safe for all athletes.”
