A Member of Parliament from the Netherlands has voiced his support for including darts in the Olympic Games, with prominent figures in the sport also expressing their excitement. Jimme Nordkamp, a 29-year-old MP representing the municipality of Losser in Eastern Netherlands, is a keen darts player and believes that the sport deserves recognition on the global stage.
Nordkamp highlighted the growing popularity of darts, especially after the emergence of player Luke Littler, and emphasized that it is now a highly competitive and internationally followed sport. He stated that it is time for darts to be considered as an Olympic sport due to its significant fan base and professional level of competition.
Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, a Dutch player, showed openness to the idea of darts being included in the Olympics in the future. Despite acknowledging that the decision lies with organizations like the Olympic Committee, Matchroom Sport, and the PDC, van Gerwen expressed his support for the potential move.
Another top-ranked player, Luke Humphries, also endorsed the idea of darts becoming an Olympic sport, although he believes that it might take some time to materialize due to the lack of substantial momentum behind the initiative.
The inclusion of darts in the Olympics could position Great Britain as a strong contender for gold medals, given the success of players like Littler and Humphries in major darts tournaments.
However, a significant challenge for darts to enter the Olympics is the sport’s organizational structure. The International Olympic Committee requires that sports have a single global governing body, a criterion that the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), while prominent in the professional game, currently does not meet.
In recent years, the Olympics has welcomed new sports such as golf and Rugby 7s, showcasing the potential for darts to be integrated into the prestigious event. The upcoming 2028 games in Los Angeles will introduce American Flag Football and Squash as new sports, further indicating the evolving landscape of Olympic sports.
