5 Jan 2017

Should darts become an Olympic sport?

9:22 am on 5 January 2017

The former England rugby coach, Sir Clive Woodward, says darts should be an Olympic sport and "ticks all the boxes" for inclusion in future Games.

2017 World darts Champion Michael van Gerwen at the dartboard

2017 World darts Champion Michael van Gerwen at the dartboard Photo: Photosport

Woodward, the former British Olympic Association director of elite performance, wrote in Britain's Daily Mail that darts was growing in popularity worldwide and it was time it "stepped up to the Olympic oche".

Tokyo, host of the 2020 Games, will have surfing, sport climbing and karate among six new sports included in its Olympics.

Muaythai, a martial art, and cheerleading last month also received provisional recognition as Olympic sports.

But Woodward said it is also time darts was considered.

"Darts should be an Olympic sport. No, seriously. The world of sport is evolving, the Olympics is evolving and I want to see darts in the Games. Easier said than done, but it ticks all the boxes," Woodward said.

England's Jonny Wilkinson offers the lid of the Rugby World Cup to coach Clive Woodward after winning the 2003 tournament.

Clive Woodward after winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"Sport is about people striving to do their best, competing to win while also accepting loss. Darts has all that and much more."

World number one Michael van Gerwen of the Netherlands won his second PDC World Darts Championship title with a 7-3 victory over Scottish holder Gary Anderson at the Alexandra Palace earlier this week.

- Reuters