A member of the Dutch parliament has voiced support for including darts in the Olympic Games, backed by prominent figures in the sport. Jimme Nordkamp, a 29-year-old MP from Eastern Netherlands, who is affiliated with the Labour Party, is an avid darts player advocating for the sport’s recognition on a global stage. He emphasized that darts, gaining significant popularity, deserves serious consideration for Olympic status.
Nordkamp expressed his views in an interview with De Telegraaf, stating that darts has evolved into a highly competitive international sport with a massive global audience. He emphasized the need to acknowledge its status and elevate it to Olympic competition. Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, also from the Netherlands, expressed openness to the idea of including darts in the Olympics, citing the sport’s professionalism and global reach.
Another top-ranked player, Luke Humphries, echoed support for darts’ Olympic inclusion, although he believes it may take several years due to insufficient momentum. The potential for Great Britain to excel in darts at the Olympics is highlighted by the dominance of players like Luke Littler and Humphries in major events.
However, a key obstacle to darts entering the Olympics is its organizational structure. The International Olympic Committee requires sports to be governed by a single global body, a criterion that the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), despite being a major authority, does not meet.
The Olympics has embraced new sports in recent years, such as golf and Rugby 7s. The upcoming 2028 games in Los Angeles will introduce American Flag Football and Squash. This trend signals a potential opportunity for darts to eventually secure a place among Olympic events.