Rory McIlroy is a four-time major winner and currently the world’s number three golfer.
After his disappointing defeat at the US Open, Rory is returning at Paris 2024 – here we look at why he is representing Ireland instead of Team GB.
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Why is Rory McIlroy representing Ireland at the Olympics?
Rory McIlroy will compete in his second Olympics at Paris 2024 – he made his debut at Tokyo 2020.
The 35-year-old was born in Northern Ireland and is eligible to represent Team GB or Ireland.
He has opted to represent Ireland in Paris, as he did in Tokyo three years ago.
In Japan, Rory and his partner Shane Lowry missed out on a medal, finishing fourth, but they are now eyeing a spot on the podium.
Rory explained his decision to choose Ireland over Team GB as he had made it during his amateur career.
He played for Ireland before turning professional and says he sees no reason to change that for the Olympics.
Under the agreement between the Irish Olympic Federation and the British Olympic Association, athletes from Northern Ireland are allowed to choose which team they wish to represent.
Why has Rory McIlroy decided not to represent Team GB?
Rory’s Paris 2024 campaign begins on Thursday, August 1 at 9.11am IST.
In July 2024, he clarified his decision Guardian: “I had a resentment toward the Olympics because I had always tried to be neutral and it presented me with a choice of ‘What are you going to do?’
“I had to get over it. All my amateur career I played for Ireland. I was very proud to play for Ireland. So why would I do anything different as a professional?
“In Tokyo it felt like a return to the amateur days. All the federations were there. I saw people from the amateur sport that I hadn’t seen for decades.
“I really enjoyed this experience and I’m sure Paris will be even better because I will get to take part in some other events as well.
“It’s just like the Ryder Cup, I commented on it before I even experienced it. I’m excited to go back.
Back in 2021, Rory also addressed the issue, saying: “I made it harder for myself than it needed to be.
I didn’t really have a choice as I’ve only played golf for Ireland all my life.
rory mcilroy
“My feeling about it was, ‘What will other people think?’
“Once I put that out of my mind and just tried to do what was right for me, it got easier. I was struggling with all of those things.
“Like I said before, once I gave up trying not to offend anyone, it was actually a pretty easy decision.
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“The decision was that I would play golf for the country or nations that I have played for from my junior and amateur days to now in the professional game.
“Even though the Olympics gave me that option, there wasn’t really a choice because I’ve played golf for Ireland all my life, so just changing the tournament would not change that. It was my decision.”
