2016 Rio Olympics: World No. 2 Dustin Johnson becomes first American to pull out
Source: CBS Sports
2016 Rio Olympics: World No. 2 Dustin Johnson becomes first American to pull out
by Adam Silverstein
4h ago
The seemingly endless flow of top golf talent pulling out of the 2016 Rio Olympics has been well-documented here, but it was still a harsh blow for the United States and the sport in general when, late Friday, the No. 2-ranked golfer in the world announced that he would also be withdrawing his name for consideration from his country's national team.
Dustin Johnson, winner of back-to-back tournaments including his first career major in the 2016 U.S. Open, announced in a statement that he will not play for the United States in Brazil next month.
"As an athlete, I can think of no greater honor than representing the United States in the Olympic Games. However, after much careful consideration and discussion with both my family and my team, I have made the decision to withdraw from the 2016 Olympic Games," he explained.
"This was not an easy decision for me, but my concerns about the Zika Virus cannot be ignored. Paulina (Gretzky, Johnson's fiancée) and I plan to have more children in the near future, and I feel it would be irresponsible to put myself, her or our family at risk. I believe I am making the right decision for me and most importantly, my family. While I am sure some will be critical of my decision, my hope is that most will understand and support it. That being said, those who choose to compete in Rio certainly have my respect and best wishes for an unforgettable and safe experience."
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http://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/2016-rio-olympics-world-no-2-dustin-johnson-pulls-out-will-not-play-for-u-s/