Adam Scott slams Olympic critics

Adam Scott has hit back at those who denounced his decision to pull out of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

Adam Scott slams Olympic critics

Adam Scott has hit back at those who denounced his decision to pull out of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Golf hasn’t featured in the Olympics since 1904, but a number of high-profile names, including Scott, fellow Australian Marc Leishman and South Africans Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have decided to withdraw from the event.

That prompted stinging criticism from some quarters, with Australian Olympic swimming legend Dawn Fraser – who worked three jobs while competing – particularly upset about his perceived prioritisation of money.

“I try to make decisions based on what I know are the facts and if I was going to form an opinion about someone else, I would get the facts before doing so,” Scott said, in an exclusive interview with Golf Monthly.

“I knew there would be people who don’t understand my decision but I have been surprised by the amount of support it’s received.

“It’s the right decision and I think it’s only healthy for the debate to be open about where golf fits into the Olympics. The only thing that concerns me is how my decision is seen in Australia.”

Scott has been opposed to golf’s inclusion in the Olympics since the announcement about its return was made.

“I didn’t grow up watching the Olympics so it’s not something I have ever aspired to. There are athletes who train for four years just for the Olympics because it represents the pinnacle of achievement for their sport,” Scott told Golf Monthly in 2012.

“I would argue that sports for which the Olympics are not the pinnacle are taking something away from those other athletes.”

Scott has described this summer’s condensed schedule as a “huge problem,” – something also cited by fellow withdrawees.

The US Open, The Open, the USPGA, the FedExCup play-offs, the Olympics and the Ryder Cup all take place within a four-month period. That said, it’s interesting to note that no one who’s expected to be involved in the Ryder Cup has withdrawn from the Olympics.

“The general feeling among golfers is similar to mine, I would have to say, but that doesn’t include everyone, of course,” Scott said.

“It’s 72 holes, no cut and a pretty weak field – I’m just not sure how that fits into being the pinnacle of anything.”