Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia announced that "he will be taking part in this year's Olympic Games in Brazil," according to Andy Swales of SKY SPORTS. Unlike a number of leading players, "who have withdrawn from the competition because of their fears over the Zika virus, the world No 12 believes it is too good an opportunity to turn down." Garcia "used his Twitter account to reveal his decision to attend the Games," saying, "I know there are some dangers but representing Spain, trying to make golf grow and becoming an Olympian are too important. I'll be at the Olympics."
Another golfer happy to play in the Olympics "is Henrik Stenson." The world No. 6 Swede said, "I've been looking forward to playing in Rio for quite some time" (SKY SPORTS, 7/6). The PA's Phil Casey wrote Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge "has become the latest player to withdraw his name from consideration for this year's Olympics," but admits it is "truly a business decision." While the likes of world No. 1 Jason Day and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy have cited concerns about the zika virus for opting out of competing in Rio, De Jonge "is more concerned about securing his PGA Tour card for next season." De Jonge said, "The reason for my decision is not my concern about the zika virus. It is truly a business decision. It would have been a great honor to play for my country." De Jonge "is currently 160th on the FedEx Cup points list and needs to finish in the top 125 at the end of the season to keep full playing rights." Competing in Rio "would mean missing two PGA Tour events" (PA, 7/6).
'BAD EXCUSE': The BBC's Kheredine Idessane wrote Jamie Murray's doubles partner Bruno Soares said it is "just a bad excuse" for Olympians to pull out of Rio because of fears over the zika virus. Soares, who played with Murray in a Wimbledon doubles quarterfinal on Wednesday, "played down the issue." The Brazilian said, "For me it's just a bad excuse from the athletes. We all know it's not that bad. We had, I think, 15,000 athletes already in Rio -- zero athletes got the virus." Murray, who along with brother Andy has been named in Britain's tennis squad for Rio, "is happy to take the advice issued to Team GB athletes by the British Olympic Association." He said, "I'm going. Of course there are issues. I'm sure a lot of it is built up in the media as well, but we're getting information from the right people at the BOA and we trust what they're saying, their judgement" (BBC, 7/6).
STAYING IN: In Hong Kong, Chan Kin-wa wrote Hong Kong’s Olympic squad "are taking no chances as 37 athletes -- several of them have yet to confirm their Rio places -- plus a yet to be determined number of officials and delegates will be under tight control to prevent any mishaps in the crime-infested city that is also reeling from the threat of the Zika virus." The squad "will travel from one of the world’s safest cities to one of the world’s most dangerous." For the first time at an Olympic Games, Hong Kong athletes "will not be allowed to leave the athletes’ village upon arriving in Rio." Athletes "have been asked to refrain from dining out, sightseeing and other social activities outside the athletes’ village" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 7/6).
