Falling Stars: Notable athletes that will skip Rio 2016

Between the Zika virus and escalating security concerns, the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympics has been one of the most tumultuous in recent history.

While most athletes view the Olympics as the pinnacle of sport and dream of attending from a young age, there is a lengthy list of stars who have declined the opportunity for various reasons.

Here's the most notable athletes to say no to Rio:

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden

Basketball, United States

The United States' basketball talent pool is probably deeper than any other sport, something the defending gold medalists will lean on heavily in Rio. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden have all declined to join coach Mike Krzyzewski in Brazil, citing various reasons from Zika concerns to a desire for rest. Don't shed a tear for the Americans though, as the team will still send the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins, Paul George, and Klay Thompson to defend their crown.

Jason Day & Adam Scott

Golf, Australia

Australia would have been considered favorites to win the gold medal in golf's first Olympic appearance since 1904, but both Jason Day and Adam Scott have opted not to participate. The world's top-ranked golfer cited the Zika virus outbreak as the main reason to miss out, while the 8th-ranked Scott told Golf Digest, "my decision has been taken as a result of an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics."

Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Shane Lowry

Golf, Ireland

Ireland's chances of an Olympic medal have taken a massive blow, as each of the country's top three golfers have pulled out of the Rio Games. Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, and Shane Lowry all cited concerns over the Zika virus as the main reason, with the world's fourth-ranked golfer going a step further.

"I got into golf to win major championships," McIlroy said during a press conference at the Open Championship. "I'm very happy with the decision I made. I'll probably watch the Olympics, but I'm not sure golf will be one of the events I watch. I'll watch track and field, swimming, diving ... you know, ones that matter."

Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson

Golf, United States

The U.S. duo of Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson joined the list of top golfers to pull out of the Rio Games, both blaming Zika concerns for the decision. As the world's second- and third-ranked golfers, Spieth and Johnson would have been the highest-ranked pair at the Olympics, but will instead watch from the sidelines. The Americans will still send a formidable team with Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, and Matt Kuchar wearing the red, white, and blue.

Milos Raonic

Tennis, Canada

Fresh off his first Grand Slam final appearance at Wimbledon, Canada's Milos Raonic pulled out of the Rio Games behind various health concerns, including the Zika virus. The world's 7th-ranked player competed for Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London, losing an incredible match against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round. The third set was decided 25-23, marking the longest match in Olympic history.

Tejay van Garderen

Cycling, United States

American cyclist Tejay Van Garderen was the first member of his sport to pull out of the Rio Olympics, with concern for his pregnant wife being the reason. The 2012 Olympian stated "if circumstances were different I would have loved to be selected again to represent the USA, but my family takes priority and it's a decision I'm completely comfortable with." While Van Garderen will skip the 2016 event, he made it clear he would be interested in the 2020 Games.