Rory McIlroy doesn’t ‘give a s**t’ if he’s viewed as a flip flopper as he clarifies why he’s playing in 2020 Olympics
RORY McILROY has delved into his motivation for playing at the upcoming Olympics as being more of a personal goal.
In the Sunday Independent he noted how some other athletes view the Games in a different light from him as he has a more diverse background.
He said: "I know, it’s...okay, for a lot of people it’s about flags and national pride and patriotism and all that sh**e.
"And it’s not sh**e, being proud of where you’re from is a very important thing.
"Obviously, I’ll be playing under an Irish flag and if I get to the podium, or win, people will be happy and that’s great.
"But going to the Olympics is not about that for me. That’s not why I’m playing.
PERSONAL MOTIVATION
"I’m going because I want to have a great experience. And that might sound selfish but that’s how I feel."
He added: "I’m not going to be jumping around in a tricolour, I’m going to stay as neutral as possible because that’s the house, and place, I grew up in, and it’s always who I’ve been.
"I feel more a citizen of the world than anywhere else.
COMPLICATED DYNAMIC
"I’ve made my home in America; I grew up in Northern Ireland; I play for Ireland...it’s a complicated dynamic.
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"And again, that might come across as flip-flopping, or soft, but I don’t give a s**t."
He added: "I’ve cared too much about what people say. So, as long as golf is in the Olympic Games, I’m going to do everything I can to play.
"Why should all these other guys get that experience and not me?"