Misquoted? Rory's Unofficial Olympic Flagbearing Invite

Tom Degun talks exclusively with Olympic Council of Ireland head Pat Hickey who famously said Rory McIlroy would be Ireland's 2016 Rio opening ceremony flagbearer if he committed to representing Ireland. Hickey is now saying he was misquoted and is claiming the writer in question has apologized to him.

"When he asked if Rory would be considered to carry the flag at the Olympic Opening Ceremony if he choose Ireland I answered: 'Of course he would, at the level he is at, he would be a strong contender.'

"But I explained that particular decision is never made until about a week before the Games.

"He then sold that story straight to the Daily Telegraph and the Irish Independent but with false comments.

"It spread from there.

"I never used the expression pole position that he used and I certainly never used that ridiculous line that this would make McIlroy more famous."

And...

"I contacted the journalist, who apologised to me, but it is terrible to be treated like that."

Degun does not include any comment from the Telegraph or writer Justin Doyle.