The Potential for Darts at the Paris 2024 Olympics: Perspectives from Top Players
The Growing Demand for Darts in the Olympic Games
As the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympic Games approach, the question of whether darts should be included as an official sport continues to generate buzz among enthusiasts. During the recent Poland Darts Masters tournament, several top players shared their thoughts on the matter.
World number one and reigning world champion, Luke Humphries, firmly believes that darts deserves a place on the Olympic stage. “It’s probably the biggest sport that’s not in the Olympic Games and it probably should be,” Humphries asserted confidently. He highlighted the sport’s growing popularity in the UK and globally, noting that it is currently the second or third most popular sport in the UK and continuously expanding its reach worldwide.
The Perspectives of Darts Legends
Three-time former world champion, Michael van Gerwen, also weighed in on the possibility. “I can imagine it happening because I see other sports that are not as professional or not as big as us,” the Dutch legend commented. However, he acknowledged that the decision ultimately lies with the Olympic committee, Matchroom Sports, and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), emphasizing that it is “out of my league” to influence such a decision.
Former world champion and world number one, Michael Smith, has also expressed his strong desire to see darts included in future Olympic Games. “Darts is not just a sport you can just pick up and do. There’s a walking race (at the Olympics). Anyone can walk. That’s something everyone can do. I could go out and swim 50m in 70 seconds. Not everyone can do this sport,” he argued, highlighting the unique skill and dedication required to excel in the sport.
Smith further emphasized the potential financial benefits for the Olympic committee, noting that darts’ high attendance figures and earning potential could make it a valuable addition to the Games. “We’re out-attending football and football’s in the Olympics. Our attendance is up there — it’d earn a lot of money for the Olympic committee. I think it’d be a great addition,” he stated.
While the decision to include darts in the Olympic Games rests with the governing bodies, the enthusiasm and advocacy of top players like Humphries, van Gerwen, and Smith underscore the sport’s potential to captivate audiences on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
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