Should darts be included in the Olympic Games?

Now that the 2008 Summer Olympics have begun, I thought it would be a good time to find some articles about darts and the Olympics....

World champions Phil Taylor and Andy Fordham say it is about time darts was recognised as a sport and included in the Olympic Games.

Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has launched a campaign aimed at achieving both these aims.

And Taylor, the defending Professional Darts Corporation champion, said: "It's about time because we really have worked hard for this. (full article...)

Yes, says thirteen-times World Darts champion Phil 'The Power' Taylor

By the summer of 2012 I am not sure if I will still be playing darts at a professional level, but I know I will be looking forward to the Olympic Games in London. And, as another world darts championship ended this week - with us gaining as much publicity as ever - the time is right for our sport to become part of the world's greatest sports show.

(full article...)

Darts steps up to the oche to stake claim for Olympics

By Ian Herbert
Monday, 2 October 2006

From Jocky Wilson to Andy Fordham, its belt-busting legends have hardly exuded an image of Olympia. But the sport of darts is to stake its claim to a place in the 2012 Games by opening its first British academy of excellence.

The location of this latest example of fast-tracking tomorrow's sporting heroes is a room above a bar on a main road out of Hull. But the man behind the scheme, John "JJ" Gibbs, says that swilling lager will not be one of the skills on his six-week programme for 7- to 18-year-olds which starts next month. Instead, his protégés will learn such skills as how to stand at the oche for the best throwing position and how to calculate the best finish in three darts. The only drinks available will be soft. (full article...)

Let's play darts - at the Olympics...

The time for talking has stopped. It is time for darts to take its rightful place at the Olympic Games.

A fortnight ago, Raymond van Barneveld's epic win over 13-times champion Phil Taylor in the PDC final was hailed as the best ever battle of the oche.

Then on Sunday, five million people tuned in as two 50-year-old veterans slugged it out in the BDO version and trumped it for pure drama. (full article...)



DARTS IN FIT STATE TO EARN OLYMPIC CALL' SAYS ADAMS

MARTIN ADAMS is ready to back a new bid to bring darts to the Olympic Games.

England captain Adams believes such a triumph would be the perfect incentive for young players.

Adams, 50, the top seed at the Lakeside World Championships in Surrey, said: "I would love to see darts in the Olympics.

(full article...)