Mike Golic doesn't think that an athlete like Rory McIlroy pulling out of the Olympics will make a big difference because winning a gold medal isn't McIlroy's No. 1 priority. (1:45) 
 
 Rory McIlroy has decided not to compete at this summer's Olympics in Rio because of fears about the Zika virus. 
 
 The world No. 4, who had pledged his allegiance to Ireland for the Games, announced in a statement that he will not be available. 
 
 McIlroy is one of a number of high-profile golfers to pull out, with Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh having already said they will not travel to Brazil, while world No. 6 Rickie Fowler has also cast doubt on his participation. 
 
 "After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro," McIlroy said in a statement. "After speaking with those closest to me, I've come to realise that my health and my family's health comes before anything else. 
 
 "Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take. I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me. I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it." 
 
 Rory McIlroy will sit out the Olympics, saying "Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take." Christian Petersen/Getty Images 
 
 The situation is a blow for the sport as golf returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. 
 
 World No. 1 Jason Day described McIlroy's decision to skip the Rio Olympics as "understandable" and added that he hasn't made a decision himself if he'll play for Australia this August. 
 
 "I respect his decision because, obviously, it's a tough one going from trying to represent your country and trying to win a gold medal, but also understanding that it's a life decision that you have to make -- just in case there's a small percentage that (contracting the Zika virus will) happen," Day said Wednesday at Baltusrol Golf Club, where he will defend his PGA Championship title at the end of July. 
 
 "But it's a decision that some people aren't willing to take. I haven't made a decision yet because obviously I just finished the U.S. Open. Then obviously this came out this morning, so I knew this was going to be a hot topic today. 
 
 "I'll talk to Bud (Martin, my agent) and family members because family for me is priority No. 1, so I want to make sure that they're happy and then from there I'll make a decision." 
 
 The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) said it was "extremely disappointed" that McIlroy would not be going to Rio, but "we respect his decision." 
 
 The International Golf Federation also released a statement on Wednesday: "The IGF is disappointed with Rory's decision but recognises that some players will have to weigh personally a unique set of circumstances as they contemplate their participation in golf's historic return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the Zika virus foremost among them. 
 
 "It is unfortunate that the Zika virus has led to Rory's decision to withdraw from the Olympic Games, knowing how much he was looking forward to taking part." 
 
 Concerns about the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects, have cast a shadow over Rio 2016, but the International Olympic Committee, with guidance from the World Health Organisation, has resisted calls for the Games to be moved or postponed. 
 
 "The OCI and our medical team have taken our lead from the IOC on the Zika situation, as we do in all matters," the OCI statement said. "They have provided us with every assurance and we have total confidence that the Games will be safe for all athletes. 
 
 "We are now following the IOC's recommendations, as well as the recommendations of the Rio 2016 organisers, the World Health Organisation and national health authorities, to ensure that Team Ireland's athletes are kept fully updated with the latest and best advice and that they are equipped to take all necessary precautions. 
 
 "The OCI is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the welfare of Team Ireland's athletes at Rio 2016." 
 
 The Press Association contributed to this report. ||||| Rory McIlroy said earlier this month that his fears over the virus had eased 
 
 Rory McIlroy has pulled out of the Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns about the Zika virus. 
 
 In a statement, McIlroy said that "my health and my family's health comes before everything else". 
 
 "Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take," said McIlroy, 27. 
 
 Vijay Singh and Australia's Marc Leishman have already pulled out of the Games because of the Zika issue. 
 
 Earlier this month, four-time major winner McIlroy, who was set to represent Ireland in Rio, said that his concerns over the virus had eased. 
 
 The mosquito-borne virus has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies. 
 
 World number four McIlroy's decision is to a blow to a sport which will be making a return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. 
 
 A number of top golfing stars, including major winners Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen, have already pulled out for scheduling and family reasons. 
 
 McIlroy added: "I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. 
 
 "The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me. 
 
 "I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it." 
 
 Ireland's Olympic governing body said that it was "extremely disappointed not to be taking Rory with us to Rio" but added that it "respected his decision". 
 
 The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) statement added that it had "total confidence that the Games will be safe for all athletes". 
 
 It said the OCI has taken its lead from the International Olympic Committee on the Zika situation and was also following recommendations of the Rio 2016 organisers, the World Health Organisation and national health authorities. 
 
 After deliberating over the issue, Northern Irishman McIlroy announced in May 2014 that he had decided to play for Ireland and not Great Britain at the Rio Games. 
 
 The International Golf Federation also said it was "disappointed" by the decision, but added it accepted players each had to "weigh personally a unique set of circumstances". 
 
 Analysis - BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter 
 
 Rory McIlroy got engaged to PGA employee Erica Stoll in Paris in December 2015 
 
 "People were aware that Rory McIlroy did have concerns. He mentioned the Zika virus a couple of weeks ago. He is 27, engaged to Erica Stoll and has spoken about his desire to start a family in the very near future. 
 
 "That said, only last week in a news conference at the US Open Rory said golf's return to the Olympics is something we should be getting excited about. 
 
 "Jason Day has raised one or two concerns about the Zika virus, but he has also expressed a desire to represent his country in Rio. 
 
 "Day is the world's number one player and people will be watching very closely to see what his reaction is now that McIlroy has taken this decision." 
 
 Experts react to McIlroy's decision 
 
 Pregnant women have been advised not to travel to areas where there are outbreaks of Zika, while women have also been advised to avoid falling pregnant in these areas. 
 
 But the International Olympic Committee, following World Health Organisation advice, says it has "total confidence" the Games will be safe for athletes. 
 
 Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, said McIlroy's decision struck him as being "extreme". 
 
 "The chances of being infected by Zika virus is low, especially if you protect yourself from mosquito bites by covering up and using a good insect repellent. Most people infected don't even show any symptoms and serious illness, although reported, seems to be a very rare event," he added. 
 
 Dr Derek Gatherer, lecturer in biomedical and life sciences at Lancaster University, said: "If Mr McIlroy is contemplating becoming a father within a year or so, then it is a perfectly reasonable precaution to stay away from regions of active Zika transmission. 
 
 "On the other hand, if he is not going to become a father any time soon, he has little to worry about." 
 
 Analysis 
 
 BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter: 
 
 While McIlroy's concerns over the risk to his and his family's health should be respected, his withdrawal provides worries for the credibility of golf's return to the Games. 
 
 With Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh also steering clear because of Zika fears and Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel staying away for scheduling reasons, the list of absentees is growing. 
 
 There will now be close attention on world number one Jason Day and Masters champion Danny Willett. Both have expressed Zika concerns. 
 
 If golf has a higher proportion of Rio absentees than other sports, questions over whether it should have been readmitted to the Games will grow louder.
– Golfer Rory McIlroy won't be participating in this year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro over concerns about the Zika virus, the BBC reports. According to the New York Times, he's the "highest-profile athlete" to pull out because of Zika so far. McIlroy, who was going to compete for Ireland, has won four majors and is the fourth-ranked golfer in the world. “My health and my family's health comes before everything else,” ESPN quotes McIlroy as saying in a statement. "Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take." Both the Olympic Council of Ireland and the International Golf Federation say they are "disappointed" in McIlroy's decision. The Times states the loss of McIlroy is a "major blow" for the Olympics, which is bringing golf back as an Olympic sport for the first time since 1904. McIlroy was one of the few big-name golfers who had seemed like a lock to travel to Rio, even going so far as to get his vaccinations. Fiji's Vijay Singh and Australia's Marc Leishman have already said they won't be competing in the Olympics over Zika worries. The world's top golfer, Australia's Jason Day, is considering not going. Other famous golfers, such as Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen, say they aren't going for reasons other than Zika. (Meanwhile, some Olympic athletes and coaches are freezing their sperm as a precaution.)