Golf star Jordan Spieth says it would be ‘incredible’ to compete at Rio 2016 Games
World no.1 is latest sporting superstar to indicate his desire to light up the Olympic Games
Jordan Spieth has shot to the top of the world rankings with a string of fine performances (Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Golf player Jordan Spieth, the current world no.1, has become the latest sporting superstar to announce his intention to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. While the American acknowledged he still has to confirm his qualification for golf’s return to the Olympic fold after 112 years, he said taking part would be the realisation of a childhood dream.
“When I was really young, I always thought of the Olympians that walk in the opening ceremonies,” said the 22-year-old ahead of this week’s Barclays championship in the USA. “I was like, you’re the greatest athletes in the world. And once I chose golf, I didn’t think it would ever be a reality (until the sport was added to the Olympic programme in 2009). It’s the most watched sporting event in the world, and to be able to be one of those athletes would be something I’d never forget. That ceremony, walking with the American flag there.”
Spieth joins an impressive list of top athletes – such as Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps, Roger Federer, Neymar, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Carli Lloyd and some of the USA basketball stars – who have spoken of their aim to light up the Rio 2016 Games.
The golfer has won two majors this year – the Masters and US Open – and tied for fourth at the British Open and was runner-up at the PGA Championship. However, he stressed that he is not taking his presence in Rio for granted.
There are 60 places in the men’s Rio 2016 golf tournament up for grabs, but each nation is limited to four entries, if those players are in the top 15, or two entries if outside the top 15. There are currently eight US golfers in the top 15 and, although Spieth is first, he knows any loss of form could cost him his place.
“In my mind, I haven’t made the team yet,” he said. “American golf has been unbelievably strong recently. I don’t know that I’m secured. I still have to work extremely hard and play at the same level in order to actually make the team. If I were to make that team, that would be incredible.”
Spieth certainly has a better chance that the world’s most famous golfer, Tiger Woods, who has also indicated he would like to play in Rio, but is currently 257th in the world rankings.
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