English squash player Laura Massaro has hit out at Rory McIlroy for playing down the importance of golf as an Olympic sport.
The four-time Major winner is one of a handful of high-profile golfers to withdraw from the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
McIlroy has cited the Zika virus as his reason to pull out of the Olympics, which will include golf for the first time since 1904.
The Northern Irishman admitted on Tuesday that he is unlikely to watch his fellow golfers at the Games and will only focus on the events "that matter".
Massaro, whose sport squash regularly misses out on Olympic inclusion, has not taken kindly to McIlroy's comments, accusing the 27-year-old of not appreciating the role that the Games can play in boosting a sport.
"It does seem a little unfair that a lot of sports out there would absolutely love their place in the Olympic Games, would see it as a pinnacle and would do everything they can to get an Olympic medal," Massaro told BBC Radio 5 live.
"I think his comments are unacceptable, it think it's a lack of appreciation for how the Olympics can just transcend an individual sport.
"It almost seems a shame you can't give that opportunity to athletes who would really, really want it. I would hope the IOC would definitely reconsider and look at some other options going forward."
Meanwhile, golfers Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Catriona Matthew and Charley Hull have been selected by Team GB to compete in Rio.
