LEONA MAGUIRE HAS explained that she was playing with an illness during the women’s individual competition at the Paris Olympics.
Maguire struggled in the event, carding rounds of 78, 79 and 83 coming into the final round. However, the Cavan native closed out her campaign with a much improved one-under 71 which included four birdies today to leave her on 23-over for the tournament.
“I’ve felt absolutely rotten the last few days,” she told RTÉ Sport, referring to the ill-health which restricted her at Le Golf National.
“I know that wasn’t the golf that I was capable of. It was one of those things where if it was any other week, I probably wouldn’t have played. But it’s the Olympic Games and there’s no bigger honour than representing Ireland. You don’t give up until the very end even if it seems like it’s too far gone.
“It was as much to prove a point to myself that I knew I could handle this golf course but under par on this course, I’ll take that any day.
“I played some really nice golf. It’s a difficult golf course. You really need your wits about you. It’s one of those things [where] you need to be at 100% and I was very far from that this week. But I’m proud of the way I bounced back today and hopefully some good momentum heading into the next few weeks.”
Maguire went on to say that she felt energised by the large crowd of Irish supporters in Paris indicating that she “probably would have thought about packing it in,” were it not for their encouragement.
"If it was any other week I probably wouldn't have played but it's the Olympic Games." - Leona Maguire reveals that illness limited her on the golf course this week
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 10, 2024
📺 Live on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱 Updates https://t.co/7SCMElSayb#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/S2RijnNWgp
She also explained that she hasn’t seen much of the other events in Paris, but has watching the rest of Team Ireland competing from a distance.
“It’s a little difficult not being in the [Olympic] village this year. Not being well as well didn’t help things. But [I've] been cheering them on from afar. I got to catch up with Kellie [Harrington] before her fight. It’s fantastic to see her go back-to-back, and Rhasidat [Adeleke] coming so close, we’ll be cheering for the girls [4x400m relay] tonight.”
Stephanie Meadow was also in action for Team Ireland at Le Golf National. She finished in a tie for 39th place on seven-over for the tournament after a final round of 72.
The 42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Will never get this mentality of playing sport when ill. Fair enough turn up, play poorly, say nothing and go home but dont say it after the event. No more than Noah Wyles the other night leaping around like superman at the start and then looking like he swallowed kryptonite at the finish. Stay at home, recover and move on.
@Darren Murphy: I completely agree. Either announce you’re sick and recover or play with no excuses.
@Darren Murphy:
Well it’s good then there’s always more than one way to look at something. I don’t think she was using it as an excuse at all…. She was just telling the reporter she had been feeling ill. Which was clearly evident by visibly looking at her and also based on the first 3 rounds and with dose clearing up her score improved. Fair play to her for pushing thru and showing desire and fortitude it’s very admirable it’s not like she was injured and couldn’t compete she fought thru the sickness and proudly represented her country at an Olympics which lets be real about it is unattainable for most
@Darren Murphy: agrée, sometimes better to call in sick than go in to the office and stink the place out.
…ah ladz, she’s as honest as the day is long and tells it like it is as all CAVAN people tend to do. Understand the scepticism, but in Leona’s case….no way.
@ Richard Forde. Says the man exercising his owm thumb.
@ Darren Murphy. Agree Darren. Coming out with this rubbish.
@Michael Carroll: . Easy for you to say when you’re exercising your thumbs on your phone. The Olympics comes round once every four years. World class sportspeople want to compete.
@Richard Ford: exactly, but it seems the Olympians on The42 comment section know better
@Michael Carroll: Not saying she was talking rubbish. If it was me i would not have competed. Personal choice.
@Richard Ford: Scores like that arent competing.
@Darren Murphy: if it was you, you would not have competed? Just wondering, are you an elite athlete who has been in this position before?
@Richard Ford: well said
@SYaxJ2Ts: Just because you are not an olympian doesnt mean you dont know what is to compete. If i was phsically ill regardless of elite or amateur status i would not.
@Darren Murphy: unlike a lot of other athletes who competed in the Olympics Leona took part drug free
@WqM9AAv3: Clean like rio ferdinand who just happened to forget he had a drug test.
@Darren Murphy: Semantics. She was there and she played the four rounds to the best of her ability under the circumstances. She outlined her reasons for competing in the interview and they were perfectly reasonable .
@Darren Murphy: So what.
@Richard Ford: Sorry Richard , Jed is on another article about Man United. I couldnt resist.
@Richard Ford: They are perfectly reasonable but why not state it before the competition. Nothing wrong with saying im not feeling the best and am happy just to be here representing my country.
@Darren Murphy: was that Ferdinand who won gold at the Rio games in 2016 Darren? Was his medal taken from him?
@Darren Murphy: maybe she wasn’t asked by a reporter how she was feeling before the competition. Maybe if she had of been she would of said I feel rotten but I’m gonna suck it up, plough on and play anyway for the sake of Ireland because I don’t want to pull a sickie and let my country down.
@robert kelly: How are you letting your country down by looking after your health.