Padraig Harrington Sees Olympic Quest Come Full Circle

(ATR) As the elder statesman of four golfers who attended the 2009 IOC session in Copenhagen, three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington did his part to help elevate the sport to Olympic status.

Now, seven years later, the 44-year-old Irish golfer will have the chance to compete in the Olympic tournament in Rio, something he is relishing.

"I’ve been involved since the start; I went to the Congress and I spoke – It’s a big deal," Harrington told Around the Rings following his third round of the Open Championship at Royal Troon.

"I own three Majors, winning a fourth Major would be nice, but doesn’t really change anything. Winning an Olympic gold medal would be a significant addition to my career CV," Harrington said.

In October 2009, Harrington accompanied International Golf Federation executives Peter Dawson and Ty Votaw, along with fellow golfers Matteo Manassero of Italy, Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Michelle Wie of the U.S. for a presentation before the final vote.

"We were nervous – clearly its strange, the world has a terrible perception of golf of being such an exclusive game, but if you look at the field of the 156 pros playing here, you won't find a silver spoon anywhere.

"I’m the son of a policeman, Rory (McIlroy) is the son of a barman – the golfers themselves are just the same as other athletes and you have to get that across sometimes," Harrington said.

"I think we will eventually, but just like tennis, it’s a struggle to get there, but hopefully we get there and have a great Olympics and I get a gold medal," he told ATR.

Harrington and Seamus Power will represent Ireland in Brazil, after the withdrawal of McIlroy, one of 20 male golfers who have pulled out mostly citing health concerns over the Zika virus.

"This is just a fantastic thing – I’m just really looking forward to it and hopefully I play well," said Harrington, who entered the Open final round at plus two, having carded respectable rounds of 70, 72 and 73. Harrington would finish plus three throughout the four rounds, tied for 36th in the tournament.

When Harrington won back-to-back Opens at Carnoustie in 2007 and Royal Birkdale in 2008, he became the first European to accomplish the feat since 1905-1906. He followed the Birkdale triumph with a PGA Championship title the following month and was one of the tour’s top players when he attended the game-changing 121st IOC session.

Harrington will take his family to Brazil and although his schedule will prevent him from walking in the opening ceremony as he has committed to another tournament in the U.S. that weekend, he’ll attend numerous events during a two-week visit to Rio.

"My whole family is going, my kids are going, we’re loving it and trying to organize what we’re going to do, get our tickets for this, that and the other," said the popular Irish golfer.

Harrington noted he wants to attend gymnastics, track and field, diving, cycling, table tennis and arguably his nation’s top sport, boxing.

"We have some really good boxers, so certainly for atmosphere to see Irish boxers, but this is also a chance to see something you haven’t seen," he said.

Harrington says his passion and spirit towards the Olympic Games developed as a teenager growing up in Dublin, when he was inspired by one of Ireland’s legendary Olympic champions.

"From the age of 15, I would attend different sports awards in Dublin and Ronnie Delaney, who won an Olympic gold medal in the 1500-meters in 1956, was always one of the first people announced," Harrington recounted. "I would sit there, look at him and think this is unbelievable."

Harrington is undoubtedly excited and ready for Olympic golf to tee off – his character and commitment something the sport could use more of from other pros if it hopes to win over the IOC for inclusion beyond Tokyo 2020.

"You have to understand that I’m older, at a different stage of my career, so it’s a great opportunity for me," Harrington said about competing in Rio.

"It’s going to be great for golf," the Irishman added. "We’ll keep improving and just like tennis we’re going to get there – teething problems."

Around the Rings onsite coverage of the 145th Open Championship at Royal Troon is sponsored exclusively by EventScotland, working to make Scotland the Perfect Stage for Events.

Written by Brian Pinelli at Royal Troon in Ayrshire

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