New Zealand’s Danny Lee took the clubhouse lead on day two of the Scottish Open and lambasted the International Olympic Committee over the lack of information concerning security and health matters at next month’s Olympics.
The 25-year-old, who recorded a six-under-par 66 to move to seven under par and a one-shot lead, is threatening to add to the spate of withdrawals from next month’s Games in Rio when golf makes its return after a hiatus of over a century.
The Korean-born Kiwi capped a bogey-free round with four birdies in a six-hole stretch at the start of his inward nine to end his round one clear of Italian Matteo Manassero and in-form South African Branden Grace, who each shot 67s.
Lee is far from pleased with the lack of information forthcoming from the IOC on the safety of teeing-up on August 10th in Rio de Janeiro with regard to the health issues surrounding the mosquito-born Zika virus and security.
Lee is threatening to join compatriot Tim Wilkinson in withdrawing ahead of the cut-off date for qualifying next Monday - July 11th. If so, the current World No. 48 would bring to 15 the number of leading male golfers deciding not to compete in Rio.
“I am looking forward to representing New Zealand as it’s going to be a huge honour for me to compete as an Olympian,” said Lee. “But it seems a lot of players are worried about security and the Zika virus and I have to be honest I am worrying about that, too. “I don’t want to get kidnapped. I don’t want to get sick. I am still young to start a family, and at one point in my life, I hope I can have a family.
“But the International Olympic Committee need to provide the truthful answer about the Zika concern and all the security-related issues going on there in Rio. It just seems like, and this is the view of many, and that is the Olympic Committee is not giving us a 100 percent answer to our questions.
“I am committed standing here right now to go to Rio and proudly represent New Zealand but then if I do not receive the information I have been seeking for a long time now, I will be withdrawing.”
Lee said that golfers were far more at risk than other athletes going to the Games because of the venue they were playing at.
“The thing is the majority of Olympians heading to Rio will be competing indoors and inside stadiums whereas the golf competition is being played on reclaimed land with much water lying about,” said Lee.
“And from the information I have received it is areas with large bodies of near still water is what you should be avoiding yet the golf is being held in an area with such conditions.
“It means being out at the golf course for five to six hours every day for some six days and I see that as exposing yourself to more chance of being bitten by mosquitoes than compared to those Olympians competing inside the main stadiums and arenas.”
Wilkinson withdrew on May 10th and if Lee should also decide not to go it would leave Michael Henry and Josh Geary to represent the Land of the Long White Cloud.