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Rory aims for Brit gold

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Rory McIlroy

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Rory McIlroy has indicated he will compete for Britain and not Ireland in the 2016 Olympics.

Golf and rugby sevens were yesterday voted on to the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro — leaving the Holywood man in a dilemma regarding who he will represent.

Even though he is qualified to play for Ireland, the 20-year-old is expected to link up with a British team.

“I'd probably play for Great Britain,” he said. “I have a British passport. I’d love to get a gold medal one day.”

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Shane "maybe the Olympic council of Ireland need to exam how they represent the athletes if they are expecting to have the best sports men and women from the entire island represent Ireland."

The reality, Shane, is that the Irish Olympic Council will NEVER change how "Ireland" is represented, in order not to alienate those born in Northern Ireland who, as is their want, consider themselves British. NEVER. There would be uproar amongst afficionados of the tricolour and Solder's Song for one thing.

I wonder is it also a disgrace for Belfast's Irish Football Association to develop and nurture young footballers born in NORTHERN Ireland, but who then opt to play for the Irish Republic? We're told this is because they have always felt an afinity for the Republic.

Does the same sort of logic apply for young Rory?

Posted by Mc | 13.10.09, 13:56 GMT

Forgetting about the polotics, I assume as an amateur he played for Ireland ? He received the backing and support of the GUI ? Seems a bit disloyal to now want to play for Great Britain ?

Posted by Doco | 13.10.09, 13:21 GMT

Good to see he is going to represent Team Great Britain and Northern Ireland the sooner they change it to team UK, it will save all this Talk of who goes where.

Posted by simon mckee | 11.10.09, 14:33 GMT

Rory,
This comment makes me feel very sad.
I left N.Ireland almost exactly 43 years ago and came to Canada and to this day I never really understood why. Play for Ireland it is where you were born. Your game is golf, keep out of politics.

Posted by ed anderson | 11.10.09, 02:53 GMT

Good man.

Posted by mc | 10.10.09, 20:13 GMT

thats a disgrace!
after all the money the irish sports council have given him and all the support from the gui through coaching
hope he wins nothing!

Posted by padraig | 10.10.09, 15:35 GMT

RORY is a real U.K. asset and he will do very well. He will be the P.R. man of Ulster.

Posted by phl | 10.10.09, 15:02 GMT

Have to say this is disappointing,always regarded him as an Irish golfer. There is a lot of support and goodwill throughout the island for Rory. I respect his choice and entitlement to represent Britain, maybe the Olympic council of Ireland need to exam how they represent the athletes if they are expecting to have the best sports men and women from the entire island represent Ireland. He could have stood under the Four Provinces flag.The BBC will be quick to wrap the Union Jack around him.

Posted by Shane | 10.10.09, 12:29 GMT