With the preparations for the Rio Olympics underway in full flow in the host nation, there are also talks of those who will not be present in Rio to give the fans an event to remember. There have been worries over the security of the Games, whereas the Zika virus also has been a major concern for most of the athletes who have pulled out of the Games.
Certainly, the missing faces of some of the stars will be a huge loss for the Games, but it will not take away the shine off of the Games. Here are some of the stars who we will not see at the Games:
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Barcelona star Lionel Messi is one of the star players who will not be participating in the Rio Olympics. He had recently lost the Copa America Centenario held in the USA and after losing his third consecutive final in three years, Messi announced that it was the end of his career for his national side.
There is no word that can describe what a football player Messi is. But when it comes to his country, the Argentine has been very unlucky and the 5-time World Player of the Year will not be in Rio to represent his side.
He has already participated in the Copa America, therefore, even if he was ready to go to the Games, Barcelona would not have allowed him. Same was the case with Neymar, as the Brazilian was not allowed to participate in the Copa America, but will be playing in the Olympics.
In the Olympics, only three players over the age of 23 are allowed, which would mean Messi would not be one of those players, as he needs rest after a tough, long season with Barcelona.
#2 Rory McIlroy (Ireland)
Golfer Rory McIlroy became one of the most high-profile names in the sporting world to have withdrawn his name from the Rio Olympics. The world number 3 golfer was honest in his views and cited the Zika virus as his concern for not going to the Games.
The Irish player had said last month that going to Rio was “a risk I am unwilling to take.”
The 27-year old golfer said that he had discussions with his fiancee and family members, and they all came to the conclusion that it is best if he does not attend the event. Golf is returning to the Games after a break of 112 years and it was expected that world’s best golfer will be representing their nations at the Games.
The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said that they were very disappointed that McIlroy will not be going to the Games but also said that they respect his decision.
#3 Adam Scott (Australia)
The Australian golfer will not be seen in the Rio Olympics. He had given an honest statement in the starting of the year that he will not be participating. He had cited his tight schedule as the only reason as to why he would be skipping the Games.
Leading to the Olympics, Scott will be playing three majors in seven weeks. Therefore, he said that he does not get to see his family that often. Hence, he will be skipping the Olympics because he will only be seeing them for six days in these seven weeks and if he had participated in the Olympics, then he would have seen them for six days in nine weeks.
The golfer’s statement before the Wells Fargo Championship also mentioned that he represents his country Australia every day of his life, and therefore, he cannot be blamed for not representing his nation at the Games. The 35-year old has won 29 professional tournaments around the world and is currently ranked number 3 in the world.
#4 Tiger Woods (USA)
Tiger Woods has been a golfing legend and is a 14-time major champion. The 40-year old golfer will not be going to the Olympics as he has been out for 11 months now due to a back injury. The golf star had an operation on his back and will not be representing his nation at the Games.
His ranking has also seen a blow as he is now ranked 615th in the world after being sidelined. The experienced golfer has also come out and said he is disappointed to see that most of the top players in golf have pulled out from the Olympics due to concerns over the Zika virus.
He also said that the Rio Olympics “deserve the best golf players”. With golf returning to the Olympics after 112 years, the American will not be able to add a gold medal to his records list. Players such as world number one Jason Day, number two Dustin Johnson, have also taken their names back.
Golf without these huge players will not have the same spark to it at Rio 2016.
#5 John Isner (USA)
John Isner is only one of the few tennis stars who will be skipping the Rio Olympics. Players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, will all be in Rio to aim for glory. But the American has cited his logistics and scheduling as the main reason why he won't be able to represent his nation at the Games.
The American player is currently ranked number 16 in the world and would have been the top ranked USA player in tennis. But now it will be world number 26, Jack Sock, who will be the highest ranked tennis player from USA at the Games.
Isner had participated at the 2012 London Olympics and was beaten by Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. Isner also added that he would also like to rest his body during August as tournaments such as the Western & Southern Open Masters event in Cincinnati and then the US Open will take place.
He said he needs to be fresh for those tournaments in order to perform well in them.
