Blog: Should darts be an Olympic sport?

I was lucky enough to buy tickets to an evening of second round matches this week at the British Darts Organisation (BDO) World Championship. It was my third time at the Lakeside Country Club – the ‘home of World Darts’. That’s the Lakeside in Frimley Green, just south of London, not the shopping centre!

Lakeside:

I met some spectators, who were wondering why darts has never been an Olympic or Paralympic sport. After all, Archery is, and they get a bow to fire their arrows.

Just as in other Olympic and Paralympic events, a huge amount of skill is definitely required in darts, as anyone who has tried to hit a treble 20 – let alone three in a row – would know.

Stamina is also key: at Lakeside the final is over 13 sets, each played under enormous pressure and the heat of the TV cameras.

Strength is perhaps less important, although strength of character is certainly integral, as anyone who has seen Martin ‘Wolfie’ Adams or Ted ‘The Count’ Hankey play would know.

Ted 'The Count' Hankey:

ted-hankey

Neither is speed especially vital (darts players are no match for sprinter Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Games), although ’Wolfie’ is reputed to have walked 25km during a week-long championship (he was wired to a pedometer during his matches).

Martin 'Wolfie' Adams at the oche:

martin adams

Despite this, many would still argue that it doesn’t involve enough physical exertion. Is darts more of a ‘game’ or ‘pastime’ than a ‘sport’? If so, why not include other ‘games’ or ‘pastimes’: pool, billiards, chess or fishing, for example?

Sports come and go: past Games have featured Tug-of-war, Golf and Powerboating. More recent additions include Beach Volleyball and the Triathlon.

In fact, sports at the London 2012 Games were decided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2005. The London 2012 Organising Committee is not involved in these decisions although we take great interest in the results.

Comments for this post:

9 Jan 2009, 09:33PM, paulchapman1 said:

If we are going to bow down & give the Yanks rubbish like Baseball & softball then we need to start looking after our own interests. Darts is a proper sport, just try playing it and you will quickly appreciate the skill level involved. Plus we'll have a great chance of scooping Gold in the mens & womens events.
Its popularity with tournaments hosted by the PDC and BDO clearly demonstrate that whether in the arena or on TV - this is a sport a massive audience. Try replicating that with archery or curling.
Finally, when you get the crux, all sports are pastimes; so this argument against is pointless.
Stick it in, ditch ping pong & lets celebrate some more GB golds. But even if Barney & Anastasia win - we;ll all have had a great time watching.

9 Jan 2009, 09:41PM, benjrowlands said:

No, Darts in my eyes inst a sport, neither is fishing, its a hobby, like playing an instrument.

10 Jan 2009, 03:36PM, aaeeturner said:

you have got to be joking.darts is not a sport.
you will be suggesting crosswords next

12 Jan 2009, 02:35PM, Rystiger10 said:

I Think Darts should be a Olympic or Paralympics sports, Because it has world championships and hobbies don't have that, so I count it as a sport.

12 Jan 2009, 04:51PM, NUHC-Boo said:

no way. it is not a need for skill that makes a sport. squash is still yet to get olympic status which is crazy so definately no place for darts in my eyes

13 Jan 2009, 08:00AM, kitchens said:

I think you will find that darts is a sport and is recognised by the sports council . It is certainly more of any sport that comes down to a judges decision i.e gymnastics , diving , figure skating . Whilst they obviously require more physical exertion than darts the simple fact that it comes down to a personal perspective of a panel of judges makes them less of a sport . The debate can be furthered by comparing shooting to darts , not exactly the most physical of sports but nonetheless an Olympic event.

The origin of Darts comes from Archery another olympic event and was used as a way for the kings men to practice indoors , so I see no viable reason for it not to be included in the Olympics.

13 Jan 2009, 09:39AM, the viking said:

Yes make it an Olympic sport just like Syncronized swimming , Bowls , at least watching darts is exiting .

13 Jan 2009, 11:49AM, RogerSW said:

If archery is a sport, then so is darts - same skill level, cheaper equipment, more places to play, more inclusive.

13 Jan 2009, 03:45PM, K8 for life! said:

I agree that darts requires great skill, but the environment it is played in, however jovial, is not in sink with the professionalism of other Olympic sports.

For example, how would Ted "The Count" Hanky perform without alcohol? He openly confesses to downing a few pints prior to games to help calm his nerves.

Don't get me wrong as I am huge fan of darts and very pleased with its recent revival, but it would stick out like a sore thumb in 2012, especially with a sober Sue Barker presenting the coverage...

14 Jan 2009, 06:04PM, frenchy said:

As much as i love darts it should never be in the olympics.
For a start most would fail the drugs and alcohole test! also there just isn't enough countries that play darts.
most sports to become olympic have to be competed in 50 countries and as far as i can tell all the current top flight come from about 6.
Darts is a great pub game and long may it countine but just not at the greatest show on earth!!!

14 Jan 2009, 06:23PM, burntoutraver000 said:

K8 for life i think you are wrong.

Hankey openly admitted he liked his drink and now thankfully his fellow piers have helped him overcome his addiction. But at no time was he breaking any rules or laws within the darts world. Alcohol is not an illegal substance.

Now there have been top olympic athletes that have taken illegal performance enhancing drugs and have won medals, later to be found out and had their medals taken back from them and their titles stripped.
How bad does that look for professionalism and the ethos of the olympics.

Your argument is weak.

Darts and snooker are deep rooted in British history and especially darts are thoroughly enjoyable sports.

Why cant this sport be included at the olympics. They truly are British sports and with the next olympics being held in London what an ideal opportunity to showcase these addictable viewing sports?

14 Jan 2009, 08:45PM, speedy_confused12 said:

i think it should be a sport,its really hard to do and i think anyone with the patience to learn to do it and practice should get the chance to win a medal in the olympics.

14 Jan 2009, 10:35PM, Louou007 said:

I agree it SHOULD be an Olyimpic sport. It is a very skilled game, it takes a lot of practice just like , Archery and Shooting which can also be described as a hobby. And just like someone has already said it is a much more inclusive sport.

21 Jan 2009, 02:11PM, MJF1975 said:

Faster, Higher, Stronger - any sport that falls under those ideals should be an Olympic sport. Those that don't, should not.....

....however as the Games has given up those ideals then frankly most sports have a valid arguement to be included.

22 Jan 2009, 11:41AM, Campb01 said:

ah come on Speedy & Lou just cause it's hard to do doesn't qualify it to be an olympic sport, so's algebra.. and sudoku . And just because other unworthy sports are included because of the TV ratings and 'investment' their participating countries provide, sure don't make it right!!

26 Jan 2009, 01:21PM, Jenny Anderson said:

I do not think darts is a sport at all, it portrays the wrong image of pot bellied beer drinking males, who would probably have a coronary if they so much as had to run for a bus. Ok, it may be very skillful, and takes a lot of practice, but is still not a sport. Other "elite" sports people train hard physically and mentally, and concentrate on diet and nutrition to the highest level.
If darts were intorduced, what proper sports would be dropped from the games. It is totally unthinkable. The Kilo and ladies 500 metre time trial were dropped and replaced by BMX racing.

8 Feb 2009, 11:54AM, Jimbo002 said:

Some people would say see so i think it could be one

2 May 2009, 12:48PM, bajan chick said:

No way , thats just being silly.

July 2009
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31

July 2009

9 Jan 2009, 09:33PM, paulchapman1 said:
If we are going to bow down & give the Yanks rubbish like Baseball & softball then we need to start looking after our own interests. Darts is a proper sport, just try playing it and you will quickly appreciate the skill level involved. Plus we'll have a great chance of scooping Gold in the mens & womens events.
Its popularity with tournaments hosted by the PDC and BDO clearly demonstrate that whether in the arena or on TV - this is a sport a massive audience. Try replicating that with archery or curling.
Finally, when you get the crux, all sports are pastimes; so this argument against is pointless.
Stick it in, ditch ping pong & lets celebrate some more GB golds. But even if Barney & Anastasia win - we;ll all have had a great time watching.
9 Jan 2009, 09:41PM, benjrowlands said:
No, Darts in my eyes inst a sport, neither is fishing, its a hobby, like playing an instrument.
10 Jan 2009, 03:36PM, aaeeturner said:
you have got to be joking.darts is not a sport.
you will be suggesting crosswords next
12 Jan 2009, 02:35PM, Rystiger10 said:
I Think Darts should be a Olympic or Paralympics sports, Because it has world championships and hobbies don't have that, so I count it as a sport.
12 Jan 2009, 04:51PM, NUHC-Boo said:
no way. it is not a need for skill that makes a sport. squash is still yet to get olympic status which is crazy so definately no place for darts in my eyes
13 Jan 2009, 08:00AM, kitchens said:
I think you will find that darts is a sport and is recognised by the sports council . It is certainly more of any sport that comes down to a judges decision i.e gymnastics , diving , figure skating . Whilst they obviously require more physical exertion than darts the simple fact that it comes down to a personal perspective of a panel of judges makes them less of a sport . The debate can be furthered by comparing shooting to darts , not exactly the most physical of sports but nonetheless an Olympic event.

The origin of Darts comes from Archery another olympic event and was used as a way for the kings men to practice indoors , so I see no viable reason for it not to be included in the Olympics.
13 Jan 2009, 09:39AM, the viking said:
Yes make it an Olympic sport just like Syncronized swimming , Bowls , at least watching darts is exiting .
13 Jan 2009, 11:49AM, RogerSW said:
If archery is a sport, then so is darts - same skill level, cheaper equipment, more places to play, more inclusive.
13 Jan 2009, 03:45PM, K8 for life! said:
I agree that darts requires great skill, but the environment it is played in, however jovial, is not in sink with the professionalism of other Olympic sports.

For example, how would Ted "The Count" Hanky perform without alcohol? He openly confesses to downing a few pints prior to games to help calm his nerves.

Don't get me wrong as I am huge fan of darts and very pleased with its recent revival, but it would stick out like a sore thumb in 2012, especially with a sober Sue Barker presenting the coverage...
14 Jan 2009, 06:04PM, frenchy said:
As much as i love darts it should never be in the olympics.
For a start most would fail the drugs and alcohole test! also there just isn't enough countries that play darts.
most sports to become olympic have to be competed in 50 countries and as far as i can tell all the current top flight come from about 6.
Darts is a great pub game and long may it countine but just not at the greatest show on earth!!!
14 Jan 2009, 06:23PM, burntoutraver000 said:
K8 for life i think you are wrong.

Hankey openly admitted he liked his drink and now thankfully his fellow piers have helped him overcome his addiction. But at no time was he breaking any rules or laws within the darts world. Alcohol is not an illegal substance.

Now there have been top olympic athletes that have taken illegal performance enhancing drugs and have won medals, later to be found out and had their medals taken back from them and their titles stripped.
How bad does that look for professionalism and the ethos of the olympics.

Your argument is weak.

Darts and snooker are deep rooted in British history and especially darts are thoroughly enjoyable sports.

Why cant this sport be included at the olympics. They truly are British sports and with the next olympics being held in London what an ideal opportunity to showcase these addictable viewing sports?
14 Jan 2009, 08:45PM, speedy_confused12 said:
i think it should be a sport,its really hard to do and i think anyone with the patience to learn to do it and practice should get the chance to win a medal in the olympics.
14 Jan 2009, 10:35PM, Louou007 said:
I agree it SHOULD be an Olyimpic sport. It is a very skilled game, it takes a lot of practice just like , Archery and Shooting which can also be described as a hobby. And just like someone has already said it is a much more inclusive sport.
21 Jan 2009, 02:11PM, MJF1975 said:
Faster, Higher, Stronger - any sport that falls under those ideals should be an Olympic sport. Those that don't, should not.....

....however as the Games has given up those ideals then frankly most sports have a valid arguement to be included.
22 Jan 2009, 11:41AM, Campb01 said:
ah come on Speedy & Lou just cause it's hard to do doesn't qualify it to be an olympic sport, so's algebra.. and sudoku . And just because other unworthy sports are included because of the TV ratings and 'investment' their participating countries provide, sure don't make it right!!
26 Jan 2009, 01:21PM, Jenny Anderson said:
I do not think darts is a sport at all, it portrays the wrong image of pot bellied beer drinking males, who would probably have a coronary if they so much as had to run for a bus. Ok, it may be very skillful, and takes a lot of practice, but is still not a sport. Other "elite" sports people train hard physically and mentally, and concentrate on diet and nutrition to the highest level.
If darts were intorduced, what proper sports would be dropped from the games. It is totally unthinkable. The Kilo and ladies 500 metre time trial were dropped and replaced by BMX racing.
8 Feb 2009, 11:54AM, Jimbo002 said:
Some people would say see so i think it could be one
2 May 2009, 12:48PM, bajan chick said:
No way , thats just being silly.

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