Why is Rory McIlroy representing Ireland and not Team GB at the Olympics 2024?

Jul 31, 2024 14:05

RORY McIlroy is a four-time major winner and the current No3 golfer on the planet.

Following on from his disappointing collapse at the US Open, Rory's back in action at Paris 2024 — here we look at why he's representing Ireland instead of Team GB.

1Rory McIlroy posing under the Olympic rings at Paris 2024Credit: APWhy is Rory McIlroy representing Ireland in the Olympics?

Rory McIlroy will be competing 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 either Team GB or Ireland.

He has opted to play represent Ireland in Paris, just as he did in Tokyo three years ago.

In Japan, Rory and his teammate Shane Lowry finished just outside the medals, placing in fourth, but the duo are now aiming for a spot on the podium.

Rory has opened up about his decision, saying he chose Ireland over Team GB because of the decision he made during his amateur career.

He played for Ireland before turning professional and says he sees no reason to make a change for the Olympics.

Following an agreement made between the Olympic Federation of Ireland and the British Olympic Association, athletes from Northern Ireland are permitted to choose which team they wish to represent.

Why has Rory McIlroy chosen not to represent Team GB?

Rory gets his Paris 2024 campaign underway on Thursday, August 1, teeing off at around 9.11am BST.

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In July 2024, he explained his decision to The Guardian: “I had a sense of resentment towards the Olympics because I had always tried to stay so neutral and it presented me with this option of 'What are you going to do?'

“I had to get over that. All of my amateur career I played for Ireland. I was very proud to play for Ireland. So why would I do anything differently as a professional?

Watch Rory McIlroy's heartbroken reaction to losing US Open title after devastating collapse in final four holes

“Tokyo felt like a throwback to the amateur days. All the federations were there. Seeing people from the amateur game who I hadn’t seen for decades.

"I really enjoyed the experience and I’m sure Paris will be even better because I’ll get to go to some of the other events.

“It’s a bit like the Ryder Cup, I made comments before I had experienced it. I am excited to go back.

Back in 2021, Rory also addressed the issue, saying: “I made it more difficult for myself than I needed to.

There really wasn’t a choice because all I’ve done throughout my life is play golf for Ireland

Rory McIlroy

“My feeling towards it was more ‘What will other people think?’

“Once I got that out of my head and just tried to do what was right for me, then it became easy. It was me wrestling with all of those things.

“As I said, previously, once I left trying not to upset anyone aside, then it was actually a pretty easy decision.

“The decision was I’m going to play golf for the country or the nation that I’ve always played for through my junior and amateur days and now into the professional game.

“Even though the Olympics has given me this choice, there really wasn’t a choice because all I’ve done throughout my life is play golf for Ireland so why would that change just because the tournament has changed. That was my decision.”

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Why is Rory McIlroy representing Ireland and not Team GB at the Olympics 2024?