Let’s get it out of the way straight off the bat: Adam Scott is ‘un-Australian’. At least, according to Dawn Fraser.
The Olympic legend (and current ‘expert’ on any sporting matter that hits the news it would seem) had the following to say about Scott’s decision to not take part in the Rio Olympics.
“Well done Adam, great to put your country on hold so that you can fulfil your own schedule”. She went to ask: “How much money do you want in life?” before accusing Scott of “not showing much for your country”.
Not to have too much of a dig at a 78-year-old, but I’m sorry Dawn, Adam doesn’t ‘owe’ Australia anything. Nor does success in his chosen career have anything to do with pleasing you, or anyone else.
Additionally, as a professional in an individual sport, he can chose whatever damn schedule he wants.
In his everyday sporting life, he doesn’t represent ‘Australia’ in any meaningful way. Sure, our flag might appear next to his name on a TV display, or the letters (AUS) might be placed on a scorecard or leaderboard, but Scott – like many who play individual sports – is there for himself.
Jack Nicklaus jumped on the raft of sporting greats who had a shot at Scott: “I think that’s sad. I think it’s sad for the Olympics and for the game of golf”.
Even long-distance runner Steve Moneghetti chimed in with his response – noting that he thinks it’s an ‘attitudinal thing’: “Well I was never too busy to go to the Olympics”.
Golf is making a return to the Olympics after 110 years out of the IOC spotlight, but Scott has decided that rather than travel to Rio, he will focus on commitments outside of the Olympics.
Y’know, the small matter of those pesky PGA majors that golfers dream of winning from the very first time they pick up a club (or rather, have one placed in their hands).
Scott outlined this very fact himself, when quizzed previously on the idea of appearing at the Olympics. “Whether I win an Olympic medal or not is not going to define my career or change whether I’ve fulfilled my career,” he said last year.
“It’s nothing I’ve ever aspired to do and I don’t think I ever will. It’s all about the four majors and I think that’s the way it should stay for golf.”
Much like tennis players who are chastised for ‘not representing their country effectively’ – Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios please step forward – it’s a bizarre idea that athletes such as Scott should be seen to represent some ‘innate patriotic fervour’.
Sure, they happen to have been born in Australia – or have spent most of their lives in Australia and are Australian citizens. But the idea that they ‘owe’ anything to the general public is absurd.
Think about it this way. You don’t refer to ‘Serbia’s Olympic Bronze Medal-Winner Novak Djokovic’, you refer to 11-time-Grand-Slam winner Novak Djokovic. It’s not ‘America’s two-time Olympic gold-medal winner Michael Jordan’, it’s ‘six-time NBA Champion, five-time MVP Michael Jordan’.
Meanwhile, Adam Scott is seemingly ‘un-Australian’ and ‘not giving back’ for not wanting to take part in what is – if you believe the stories – a mostly corrupt institution.
Give me a break.
LeBron James is going back to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. Steph Curry is headed to the games for the…
Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar is refusing to put a line through Nestory Irankunda's hopes of playing at the Paris Olympics after claiming he is…
The 2023-24 NBA season promised so much for the Australian contingent - for a few it’s been the ideal runway to the Paris Olympics…
Basketball superstar Lauren Jackson has been included in the extended Opals squad for the Paris Olympics, despite announcing her retirement from the international scene.…
The Brisbane Olympics stadiums fiasco has had wild twists and turns in just the last few days, but we still might not have seen…
Olympic swimming legend and Australian Sports Commission boss Kieren Perkins has warned that "someone will die" if a multi-sport event that allows athletes to…
