Golfer Denied Chance To Compete Alongside McIlroy Despite Winning Court Case

Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. HOME News Politics Royal Showbiz & TV Sport Comment Finance Travel Life & Style Football Tennis F1 Boxing UFC Cricket Rugby Golf Racing NFL NBA Other Joost Luiten has been left frustrated once again.

Joost Luiten will not be competing at this summer’s Olympic Games. (Image: Getty)

Dutch golfer Joost Luiten has blasted the International Olympic Committee after being denied the chance to compete alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Scottie Scheffler at this year’s Olympics.

That’s despite Luiten winning a court case which sought to overturn the decision to prevent him from appearing at the Paris Games this summer.

Luiten had qualified for the Paris Games after meeting the IOC requirements, along with four compatriots.

However, the Dutch Olympic Committee (NOC) decided to sanction just one of their entrant’s participation – Ladies European Tour star, Anne van Dam.

Angered – and understandably so – by the decision, Luiten took the Netherlands Olympic Committee to court, with the Dutch judge ruling in favour of the 38-year-old.

Yet, it appears Luiten won’t be competing in the French capital, as while the case was rumbling on in the background, his spot in the 60-man field had been given away.

A statement from the International Golf Federation on Tuesday read: “When the International Golf Federation (IGF) received notification of Joost Luiten’s court ruling in the Netherlands and his entry from the Netherlands’ National Olympic Committee (NOC*NSF), his unused quota spot had already been reallocated pursuant to the IGF’s published qualification procedures.

“The IGF was not a party to the legal action brought forth by Luiten in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, in an effort to support Luiten, the IGF sought an exception from the IOC to increase the field size of the men’s Olympic golf competition from 60 to 61 competitors to include Luiten, however the request was denied by the IOC today.

“The IGF has advised Luiten of the IOC’s decision, and he has not informed the IGF whether he intends to pursue this matter further.”

Joost Luiten had qualified the Olympics in Paris next month but won’t be competing. (Image: Getty)

Le Golf National will host the Olympic event in Paris. (Image: Getty)

It’s a hammer blow for Luiten, who will instead be forced to watch from home as some of the biggest names in golf compete for Olympic gold next month.

Luiten reacted to the news via Instagram, with the Dutchman posting a photo of the Olympic rings with a cross through the middle, accompanied with the message: “After winning the courtcase against the @NOCNSF, the @IOC has decided not to let me play at @Olympics in Paris!

“I can’t take The Olympics (IOC) serious anymore! If they say the fundamentals of the Olympic Games are about INTEGRITY, FAIRPLAY and RESPECT you are all lies!

He continued: “Even though I have been qualified by their own rules and entered before the entry deadline! They don’t let me play!

Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

They don’t take the Dutch law as there jurisdiction and my spot in The Olympics had already been given away to somebody else because the @NOCNSF withdrew me early! Now they don’t want to give me my spot back!!!

“I don’t see any fairplay or respect from the IOC, so how can they say The Olympic games are build on those fundamentals??

“It is all POLITICS and all they care about is that they have their own party at the olympics with their mates!!”