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...)

Lets play darts - at the Olympics...

Yet darts was recognised as a sport by the UK Sports Council two years ago. The days of players downing booze on stage are long gone.

The governing body has introduced anti-doping measures, and members of the International Olympic Committee have visited the Lakeside.

Research indicates almost a third of all youngsters in the UK either play darts or are interested in it.

And when Adams wore a pedometer during practice and matchplay at the 2005 tournament, he clocked up 25 kilometres (15.5miles).

In the 21st century, darts is more relevant to many ordinary people than a host of Olympic sports – fencing and synchronised swimming spring to mind.

And while the disciplines for the 2012 Olympics are already decided, it could still be made an invitational or exhibition sport. BBC - 606 - Let's play darts - at the Olympics

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

Let's play darts - at the Olympics... It seems that the debate has hotted up about the inclusion of darts at the Olympics.

Sid Waddell, Sky Sports darts commentator

Should darts be in the 2012 Olympics?
"Sid Waddell, Sky Sports darts commentator


The Guardian

Should darts be in the 2012 Olympics?

Barry Wynn, St Helens

Sid Waddell Certainly. Sport England recognised darts as a sport in March and we should be there in 2012 - at the Circus Tavern, naturally. John Lowe should be non-playing captain and Britain would wipe the floor with all comers. We could send out five 10-man teams that would win the gold medal. How many other sports can claim that?"

Mirror.co.uk - DARTERS DESERVE A GOLDEN MOMENT

"DARTERS DESERVE A GOLDEN MOMENT
14 January 2006

Alan Mckinlay

MORE irrefutable evidence this week as to why darts should become an Olympic sport.

Following hard on the heels of the breakaway PDC world championship (Circus Tavern, Essex, Sky Sports) we are reaching the climax of the BDO world title (Lakeside, Surrey, BBC2).

The two darts organisations are still at war, but the product is the same - untucked nylon shirts, walk-on anthems, ludicrous nicknames, and of course the chance to join in the cry 'one-hundred-and-aytee!'

The overblown, grandiose Olympics, with its history of drugs, self-importance and corruption, should welcome with open arms a humble game full of sportsmanship and goodwill.

Why, for example, is shooting an Olympic sport and not darts?"

OLYMPIC SPORTS - Will darts gain recognition?

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE - SPORTS

I'm still thinking about the Darts in the Olympic thing and I thought that I would take a look to see what are the currently recognized sports. Here is what I found:


RECOGNISED SPORTS

Climbing, bridge, golf, roller skating and surfing are sports that are recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The International Sports Federations (IFs) that administer these sports must ensure that their statutes, practice and activities conform with the Olympic Charter."

I think that a some point darts will get into the Olympics, but I think a great opportunity was missed when it didn't make it for the London 2012 Olympics

BBC SPORT- Fordham's throwing for gold

BBC SPORT - Fordham's throwing for gold: "Fordham's throwing for gold

They'd be nuts to leave darts out:

Mention arrows at the Olympics and archery normally springs to mind.
...
Think again.

"The Viking insisted: "Darts should be recognised by the Olympics. Archery and shooting are, so why not darts?"

Olympic Demonstration Sports - Will darts make the 2012 Olympics?

While dart players hope that London hosting the 2012 Olympics will give darts a chance to have a chance at being an Olympic sport it still seems to be a long shoot.

For a sport to be included in the Olympic Games, the sport must first be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under the conditions that it has an International Federation (IF), and that this Federation has held a World Championship competition.
Olympic Demonstration Sports: "Sports that have been demonstration sports in the past, include the following:

* American Football: 1932, Los Angeles
* Australian Rules Football: 1956, Melbourne
* Baseball: 1904, 1912, 1936, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1984 and 1988. (Baseball was an Official Medal sport with an eight-nation tournament in Barcelona 1992)
* Badminton: 1972. Official Medal sport in Barcelona, 1992
* Basketball: 1904, St Louis
* Basque pelota: 1924,1968 & 1992
* Bandy:(Soccer on ice) 1952 Winter Games in Oslo, Norway
* Budo: (Japanese archery/wrestling/fencing) 1964, Tokyo
* Curling: 1924, 1932, 1936, 1964 & 1988 Winter Games.
* Dog Sled Racing: 1932, Lake Placid, U.S.A.
* Field Handball: 1952, Helsinki, Finland
* Gliding: 1936, Berlin
* Korfball: 1928, Amsterdam
* Kayaking and Canadian Canoeing: 1924, Paris
* Lacrosse: 1928, Amsterdam, 1932, Los Angeles, 1948, London
* Military Patrol: (Led to Biathlon in 1960) 1924,1928,1936,1948 Winter Games
* Roller Hockey: 1992, Barcelona
* Speed Skating: 1924 France Winter - Short Track 1988, Calgary
* Taekwando: 1992, Barcelona
* Tennis: 1968, Mexico & 1984, Los Angeles
* Water Skiing: 1972, Munich, Germany.
* Winter Pentathlon (X-country & downhill skiing/pistol/fencing/horse riding) 1948, St Moritz, Switzerland
* Women's Judo: 1988. Official Medal sport in Barcelona, 1992"

2012 Olympics - DARTS NEWS - BDO STATEMENT

DARTS NEWS: "1 07.07.2005, at 12:02:15
News: BDO STATEMENT REGARDING LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

'We are delighted by the news', says Olly Croft. 'In addition to our application for sports recognition, we were discussing the London bid with politicians and decision makers last year. We will now continue to lobby for darts to be considered for the 2012 Olympics - possibly as the 'invitation sport' to which London as host nation is entitled.
'We have stressed to the media that this is not a gimmick. We are very serious in our intentions for the sport of darts. We have already won sports recognition for darts, and we have every confidence that our darts players can win Gold Medals for the host country in 2012."

.......

"There is no doubt that darts should be an Olympic sport, and if this means being invited as a 'demonstration sport' so be it. However, I would prefer it to make its debut as a proper Olympic sport in London 2012. That would be magic!"

London Olympics 2012

Yahoo! News: "Blair factor lifts London to dramatic victory

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Tireless lobbying, a superb bid and a massive charm offensive from British Prime Minister Tony Blair lifted London to a remarkable Olympic victory over Paris in the race to win the 2012 Games Wednesday.

Having flown into Singapore Sunday, Blair spent hours, day and night, charming
International Olympic Committee members one-on-one before jetting out in the early hours of Wednesday to host this week's G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland."

Click here for an additional article
I'll be waiting to see if Darts is introduced as a demonstraion sport! That could increase England's Gold Medal chances!