Rio Olympics 2016: Jason Day pulls out over Zika fears

Day is the fifth golfer to withdraw from the Games in Rio over Zika concerns

World number one Jason Day has withdrawn from the Rio Olympics because of “concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus”.

The 28-year-old Australian said while the risk is small, it is not one he is willing to take because of “potential risks to my wife’s future pregnancies”.

He added: “Competing at the Olympics has always been a major goal, but golf cannot take precedence over my family.”

Rory McIlroy has also pulled out due to concerns over the mosquito-borne virus.

The virus has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies.

World number four McIlroy’s decision was already a blow to a sport which will be making a return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.

Day is the fifth high-profile player to pull out because of concerns over Zika, following fellow Australian Marc Leishman, Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Northern Ireland pair McIlory and Graeme McDowell.

A number of other top players, including major winners Adam Scott of Australia and South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, have already pulled out for scheduling and family reasons.

More to follow.

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Rio Olympics 2016: Jason Day pulls out over Zika fears
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