A World Championship win comes before an Olympic Gold: Ronnie O' Sullivan

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes snooker players don't have the same mindset as that of others taking part in the Olympics

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the 5-Time World Snooker champion has said that a Masters triumph or a World Championship triumph will always be a more significant achievement for a snooker player as compared to an Olympic Gold.

In January this year, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association had put snooker forward in the Olympic programme.

"A World Championship, UK Championship or Masters title would always come before Olympic gold.

“Does it mean that much to a snooker player? We all want to be world champion,” O’Sullivan said.

The 39-year-old also believes that a snooker player doesn't quite have the same mindset as compared any other athlete taking part in the Summer Games, who he feels have a set goal of winning a medal in the event and prepare accordingly to achieve that objective.

"Any athlete who goes to the Olympics - that is their goal, that is what they train for four years. From one Olympics to the next, that is all they are thinking about,” he said.

"I'm not sure a snooker player would have that mindset,” he added.

Hope to reach the finals: O’Sullivan

Talking about his own personal form, the Englishman said that he would be delighted if he could get to the final but admitted that he will to have to play very well to reach that stage.

“I catch myself thinking that I am here for two weeks, but then I remember I am only here for two weeks if I make it to the final. If I get knocked out in the opening round then it has only been two days.

“Hopefully I am here competing at the final stages, if not I will enjoy watching it as well.There are a lot of good players playing well here who feel good about their game and I think that this year is going to be tough for whoever gets their hands on the trophy,” he said.