By Duncan Mackay

Patrick Hickey and Sebastian Coe Dublin May 7 2013May 7 - Rory McIlroy has the backing of both the British Olympic Association (BOA) and Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) whichever country he decides to represent at Rio 2016, it was claimed today by Sebastian Coe and Patrick Hickey, the heads of the two respective bodies claimed today.


The pledge was made as Coe, chairman of the BOA, visited Dublin to sign a cooperation agreement between Britain and Ireland. 

The situation regarding McIlroy, the world's number two golfer, who is from Holywood in County Down, which is in Northern Ireland, was high on the agenda when Coe held talks with Hickey, President of the OCI and head of the European Olympic Committees.

"Rory has made it clear he wants to make the decision himself," Hickey told insidethegames.

"We will not try to influence him in any way."

Under the rules of the Olympic Charter, McIlroy can choose to represent either Britain or Ireland.

Sebastian Coe visit to Dublin May 7 2013From left: OCI President Patrick Hickey, BOA chairman Sebastian Coe, Michael Conlon, Katie Taylor, Cian O’Connor, Paddy Barnes, Irish Sports Minister Michael Ring, Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise Ó Muirí

"Whichever country Rory decides to play for the other NOC (National Olympic Committee) will fully support him," said Hickey, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee's ruling Executive Board.

"Seb said that if he decides to play for Ireland then he will have the full blessing of the BOA and I can tell you that if he declares for Britain then the OCI will be backing him.

"Our first priority is to make sure that the athlete is happy.

"Rory is no different to any other athlete in Ireland who has a British passport - they have the choice and can decide who they represent."

Coe echoed Hickey's sentiments.

"He [McIlroy] is arguably the best, one of the best golfers of his generation," he said.

"I'm passionate about the Games, Rory's ability to inspire more young people to take up sport is not limited to a small jurisdiction, he is a global figure so I just want him at the Games and whatever decision he makes we will stand by him and support that."

The signing of the cooperation agreement between the BOA and OCI was marked by Coe presenting Ireland's medallists, including lightweight women's boxing champion Katie Taylor, with special IOC lapel pins at Mansion House in Dublin.

Taylor was joined at the ceremony, which was attended by Lord Mayor of Dublin Naoise O'Muiri, Ireland's Sports Minister Michael Ring, and the British Ambassador Dominick Chilcott, by Ireland's four other medallists from London 2012.

They were boxers John Joe Nevin, a silver medallist in the men's bantamweight, and bronze medallists, boxer Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlon and showjumper Cian O'Connor.

Seb Coe unveils Olympic torch Dublin May 7 2013BOA chairman Sebastian Coe unveiled a special sculpture of the London 2012 Torch to commemorate its arrival in Dublin, watched by OCI President Patrick Hickey

"The athletes were thrilled," said Hickey.

"It meant so much to them."

Following the ceremony, Coe travelled to the OCI headquartersin Howth where he unveiled a sculpture, created by Donegal artist Paul Ferriter, to commemorate the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Dublin almost a year ago.

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