Dutch Olympic Committee Denies Qualified Golfers Chance to Compete in 2024 Paris Games

Three Dutch golfers who met the qualification criteria for the 2024 Paris Olympics have been denied the opportunity to compete by their own Olympic committee, citing their world rankings.

Three highly accomplished Dutch golfers will not be representing their country at the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, despite qualifying for the event. The surprising decision stems from the Dutch Olympic Committee's (NOCNSF) assessment that the athletes do not have a "realistic chance to compete" based on their world rankings.

Joost Luiten, a six-time winner on the European Tour and a participant in 21 major championships, was among those denied a spot. Currently ranked No. 147 in the world and No. 40 in the Olympic rankings, Luiten met the qualifications to compete in Paris but received disappointing news that he would not be part of the Dutch team.

Dutch Olympic Committee Denies Qualified Golfers Chance to Compete in 2024 Paris Games

"I am very sad to say I will not play the 2024 Olympics," Luiten wrote in a post on Instagram. "The [Netherlands Olympic Committee/Dutch Sports Federation] will not send me even though I have qualified by the international golf federations' criteria and the Olympic criteria."

The NOCNSF explained its decision, stating that it has its own criteria for selecting athletes, which includes a "good chance to finish in the top 8." The committee expressed skepticism that Luiten had a strong likelihood of placing within the top eight at the Olympics, despite his impressive track record.

Dutch Olympic Committee Denies Qualified Golfers Chance to Compete in 2024 Paris Games

"They don't think I have a chance to finish in the top 8 of the Olympics (60-men field) even though over my 18-year professional career I have finished inside the top 10 almost 20% of the time and those were 156 man fields," Luiten wrote.

Calling the decision "mind-boggling," Luiten criticized the Dutch Olympic committee's understanding of golf. "The NOCNSF have absolutely no clue about golf," he stated.

Dutch Olympic Committee Denies Qualified Golfers Chance to Compete in 2024 Paris Games

The Netherlands Golf Federation expressed its support for the golfers, acknowledging that it presented "extensive arguments and data" to the Dutch committee in a meeting on June 14, highlighting the unique considerations in golf compared to other sports.

Darius Van Driel and Dewi Weber, who also qualified for the Olympics, were subjected to the same rule and denied a trip to Paris. Van Driel labeled the decision "political" and expressed disappointment that Dutch golf was suffering as a result.

Dutch Olympic Committee Denies Qualified Golfers Chance to Compete in 2024 Paris Games

Weber voiced her frustration, stating that being told her country did not consider her worthy of representing it was hurtful. She even offered to pay for her own expenses to participate, but the NOCNSF remained unyielding.

The decision marks the second consecutive Olympic Games that Dutch officials have denied golfers a place due to ranking outside the top 100. Anne Van Dam, ranked No. 108 in the women's world ranking and No. 34 in the Olympic ranking, will be the only Dutch golfer competing in Paris.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.