World Number 1 Jason Day has officially withdrawn from the
2016 Rio Olympic Games due to concerns over the Zika virus.

A vocal supporter of golf in the Olympics, Australian Jason
Day anguished over his decision not to compete.

A devoted family man, Day ultimately had to put the health
and wellbeing of his family ahead of his pursuit of a gold medal.

"It’s obviously a pretty big statement for me and my team to
pull out of the Olympics, with the understanding of what’s going on down there
with regards to the Zika virus," said Day.

"It was a very difficult decision to make, obviously from
representing your country, but also having to put family first and make sure
that’s a priority over anything else, more so than golf and the Olympics."

"Unfortunately with what’s going on in Brazil and Rio with
the Zika virus, there’s a small chance it could happen, and I just can’t put my
family through that, especially with the future children we’re looking at
having."

Day is the latest in a line of high profile players to announce
their unavailability for the Olympics including fellow Australian Adam Scott,
World Number 4 Rory McIlroy and South Africa’s top-2 players Branden Grace and
Louis Oosthuizen.

"I understand and sympathise with everyone that has made the
decision to withdraw their names, but I also understand what an honour it is to
represent your country and try to win a gold medal," added Day.

"That’s why it was so hard for me to pull out. Golf hasn’t
been in the Olympics for 112 years, and to be able to be one of Australia’s
first to represent golf in the Olympics would be an honour, but it’s just so
hard because obviously of what’s going on, as well."

"I don’t know with Rory and myself pulling out if it will trigger anyone else
going. It’s not my decision. It’s their decision and they have to make it."

"Some guys are in different situations. Some guys are
younger and single and can take that chance, and some guys are in the same
situation as me and have children or are going to have children, get married
and stuff like that. It’s a difficult one for those guys."

This year will be the first time golf has been played in the
Olympics since 1904 and Day hopes these withdrawals will not affect the games
future participation in the Olympics.  

"If it (the Olympics) was in Tokyo I’d love to go to Tokyo
and play, but once again, you can pick up anything anywhere you go," added Day.

"I just hope they (the IOC) look past this and go, we’re
looking at the bigger picture and trying to grow the game, and hopefully if
they can do that, then golf can stay in the Olympics and everyone can move on
to hopefully Tokyo and try and play there."