Tuesday 28 June 2016 16:28, UK
Padraig Harrington believes golf must be given time before being written off as an Olympic sport, but understands why some golfers have decided to pull out of the Rio Games.
World No 1 Jason Day is the latest big-name player to confirm he will not feature over concerns of the Zika virus, following on from Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry making similar announcements this week.
"We're a different breed of sports people because our career is so long and our age profile is so different," Harrington told Sky Sports News HQ. "Golfers have a long career.
"Most of these guys pulling out would like to play this year, but they know that they'll have a chance in four years' time. That's different for a lot of other athletes, who will only get one chance at the Olympics.
"I can understand players aren't going to take a risk this given year, but let's face it if it was our only chance to ever play the Olympics, I think a lot more of the guys would have taken that chance.
"They realise there are possibilities in the future, but someone like me who is coming towards the twilight of their career is going to take every chance I can to get to make the Olympics. This might be my one and only chance."
Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace had already decided to swerve the Games, joining the likes of Graeme McDowell, Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh
The number of withdrawals has led to questions as to whether golf should be making its Olympic return, but Harrington feels the sport has a place there.
"Tennis was badly received when it first came into the Olympics and for some people it won't be a big priority, but for me the games are a big priority," the Irishman added. "It's a significant thing in any sportsman's career.
"I've won three majors and there's very little that could be added to that. Even if I won a fourth major, it isn't majorly different to three. If I'm an Olympic athlete and I was being presented in China at the age of 70, then I guarantee the Olympic golf would be top of the list.
"There are golfers who underestimate it now, but they won't do so in 20 or 50 years' time. The four majors we have now have taken a long period of time for some of them to become majors, but our games changes and evolves, so just like tennis it will take time."
