Pat Hickey believes Nike missed ‘golden opportunity’ with Rory McIlroy

Olympic Council of Ireland boss Pat Hickey believes Nike may have missed a golden opportunity to sponsor Rory McIlroy’s bid for a gold medal in Rio.

McIlroy might be Nike’s $100m (€88m) golden boy but the sportswear giant will not feature as part of Team Ireland, who McIlroy will represent at the Olympics.

Hickey revealed yesterday that the US firm was offered the chance to back the Irish Olympic team this year and guarantee seeing McIlroy sport the Nike swoosh in Rio.