“There Have Been Some Half Lame Excuses For Not Going” Nordqvist On Olympics

Anna Nordqvist's Thoughts On The Olympics - "There Have Been Some Half Lame Excuses For Not Going"

Anna Nordqvist Olympics
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Olympics starts in just under a month's time, with a number of high profile names deciding to skip the games in Tokyo.

"There Have Been Some Half Lame Excuses For Not Going" Nordqvist On Olympics

The Olympics is the pinnacle for any athlete and, after golf's return at the 2016 Rio games, all eyes will now be drawn to Tokyo later this month.

With the games being held every four years, a number of players have decided not to participate, with Sweden's Anna Nordqvist believing there have been "a number of half lame excuses for not going."

Anna Nordqvist Olympics

Dustin Johnson announced in March that he wouldn't be partaking in the Olympics. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The 34-year-old, who finished in a tie for 11th in 2016, went on to say: "I know how much the Olympics means for so many sports and I know how hard they try to make it there.

"For someone to go 'oh no, I'm not going to go,' I just don't get it. I think if it continues like this then golf is going to be looked upon as one of the sports that might not be considered to be in the Olympics, because if not all the best players are going, or don't really care about it, then what's the point of it even being there.

"I don't think there's a greater honour as an athlete, than playing in the Olympics. I'm 34-years-old so I don't know how many (chances) left I'll be playing.

"But after having a great experience in Rio, it's one of the coolest things you'll ever do as an athlete and to be a two-time Olympian is definitely something that I would look back on in my career and be very proud of."

Anna Nordqvist Olympics

Nordqvist with Minjee Lee and Suzann Pettersen at the 2016 Olympics. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Japan has seen a new wave of infections hit in April, with cases continuing to rise. Of the 2,180 new Covid cases reported on Wednesday, 920 were in Tokyo.

Related: Tokyo Olympics To Be Held Without Fans Amid Covid-19 Emergency

Although a number of male Tour players are set to skip the games, including two-time Major champion, Dustin Johnson, the women's entry sheet is crammed full of Major champions, including Nelly Korda, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x