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.
SM
Guest
It's been pretty well established that the Olympics is not the pinnacle for a number of sports, including golf. Try to keep up.
craig swanson
Guest
I am with those who say Scott should tee off in the Olympics. He is putting the mighty dollar in front of loyalty and the honor of representing his country at the pinnacle of sport IMHO.
NaBUru38
Guest
When speaking of Argentine basketballers Manu Ginóbili and Luis Scola, you can't miss their 2004 Olympic gold medal. When speaking of Uruguayan cyclist Milton Wynants, you can't miss his 2000 Olympic silver medal. Some competitors may dismiss the Olympics, but many others don't.
Poppi
Roar Rookie
Samuel, the Olympics may not be the pinnacle of all sports, but that shouldn't mean those sports shouldn't be at the Olympics. Dawn is a passionate Australian Olympian and sees the Olympics as the pinnacle of sport. For many sports it is, but not for golf nor seemingly for Adam Scott. I like Adam but I'm disappointed he doesn't seem to appreciate the significance of the return of golf to the Olympics or the impact his presence could have on the rest of the Australian team and the Australian public. He may look back and regret his decision but, then again, maybe not. In any case, he will somehow be poorer for not having the experience. I remember many of the original US Dream Team - which included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird - saying the Olympics was one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. Adam Scott will never know.
wombat
Guest
Largely agree. With Tennis; they are usually strong fields but an Olympic title (whilst a nice one to add to the collection) does rate below a Grand Slam and like any tournament; the field will be shaped by the choice of surface which may favour some but disadvantage others. Rugby Sevens is one that I have no problems with as it has essentially developed into its own derivative of the 15man game and has its own circuit. An Olympic medal could be justifiably seen as a pinnacle. Olympic basketball WAS probably the victim of US chauvinism until 1988 when their college selection missed the gold medal match. From then on, the NBA pulled their heads in and allowed their top stars to represent in international competition. For the women, the Olympics is the pinnacle. Football on the mens side is definitely the poor relation with FIFA opposed to any threat to the status of their World Cup. For the women, it is on-par with their World Cup and given the lesser number of team, qualification is much harder. Baseball was a poor fit with MLB being outright obstructive. Olympics were the pinnacle for the sister sport, softball, but the poor spread of nations hurt them.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
Completely agree with you about if winning an Olympic medal isn't the pinnacle then it shouldn't be there - as I said in the article, you don't refer to professionals such as Djokovic or Jordan by their Olympic medals.
Samuel Laffy
Roar Guru
Scott doesn't play for the Australian golf team though, he plays for Adam Scott when he's in a tournament. That's one major point that too many people miss - just because you are from somewhere doesn't mean you are (or should be) automatically representing them in everything you do! Definitely agree on the idea of golf and swimming being completely different in terms of their regards for Olympic medals.
Gazmon
Guest
If winning an Olympic medal is not the pinnacle of your sport then that sport shouldn't be in the Olympics. As simple as that. Football should not be there - the IOC love it because of the crowds and money. Golf, Rugby, Tennis and many others do not need to be there either. Dawn & Moneghetti are from sports that see the Olympics as the ultimate goal, Golf already has 4 of those - none of which involve the IOC.
Mark
Guest
The fact that the worlds top golf pros are skipping the Olympics suggests that golf's 110 years out of the IOC spotlight was not long enough.
johnno2
Guest
adam scott represents his country every time he tees up the golf ball. how many time has dawn represented australia in sport? i think adam would beat her career total since he stepped on the professional circuit. you really cant compare "golf in the olympics" versus "swimming in the olympics". golf has 4 major events every year. swimming has olympics once every 4 years.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Samuel... Your headline is pure genius. And I have no issues with Scotty, who has done plenty for golf in this country, missing out on this one. His life, he can make the calls. He comes back and promotes the game every year here, so Scotty gets my vote on this one