Hickey: No need to hurry Rory on Olympics

Olympic Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey has backed Rory McIlroy’s decision to hold off on declaring whether he will represent Britain or Ireland at the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The Holywood golfer and US Open champion originally declared an interest in representing Britain when asked back in 2009 but has refused to confirm or deny any intentions when asked about the matter since.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure to be put on them now at this stage,” Pat Hickey explained yesterday at the official launch of Cadburys’ sponsorship of the Olympic and Paralympic Irish teams for 2012.