Darts - Is It a Sport and Should It Be Included in the 2012 Olympics?
Now that fall has arrived and Dart Leagues are in full swing, there seems to be much discussion amongst my fellow dart friends about the upcoming 2012 Olympics which are being hosted by the city of London.
You see, some fellow darters believe that darts is indeed a sport and because it's origins are in the UK, then it should have been featured in the Olympics.
Others argue that darts is a recreational activity that is played in pubs around the world by overweight men with a pint in each hand.
In an attempt to add my "two cents worth" to this argument I decided to do some research on the definition of "darts" and to find out whether the sport of darts meets the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) criteria of what it considers to be an Olympic sport.
Here is what I discovered about the "Sport of Darts" Darts, according to Wikipedia, "is considered a professional, competitive sport as well as a popular pup game.
" It is played in many countries around the world and it has three governing bodies, the BDO (British Darts Organization), the WDF ( World Darts Federation) and the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation).
Canada also has a governing body, The National Darts Federation of Canada, and all of these federations were formed as a means of establishing rules and regulations that both professional and recreational darters alike must follow.
This definition answers the first part of my argument, darts is indeed a sport! Next I researched IOC"s rules on the requirements necessary for a sport to make it "onto the Olympic Programme.
" The IOC will recommend a sport to be added to the Olympic Programme provided it is recognized and widely practiced around the world and that it is governed by an International Federation which ensures that the sport's activities follow the Olympic Charter.
Well, I would argue that, because darts is a widely recognized sport that is played in many countries around the world, then the "Sport of Darts" indeed meets the first part of the IOC's criteria.
Secondly, considering the sport of darts has not one, but three governing bodies, four including Canada's governing body, I'm sure it would not be too difficult for any of these governing bodies to ensure that the sport's activities follow the "Olympic Charter".
My final argument as to whether darts is a "sport" and should be included in the Olympics is this, whether you are a professional darter or a recreational one, darts is a sport that requires the player to have exceptional mental stamina.
A player must also practice and perfect his/her skills and have exceptional hand/eye coordination.
I am now prepared to argue with my fellow dart players and perhaps even the IOC that, if archery, badminton,fencing and Beach Volleyball are considered olympic sports, then why not darts? Happy Darting Everyone, Michele Hogg
You see, some fellow darters believe that darts is indeed a sport and because it's origins are in the UK, then it should have been featured in the Olympics.
Others argue that darts is a recreational activity that is played in pubs around the world by overweight men with a pint in each hand.
In an attempt to add my "two cents worth" to this argument I decided to do some research on the definition of "darts" and to find out whether the sport of darts meets the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) criteria of what it considers to be an Olympic sport.
Here is what I discovered about the "Sport of Darts" Darts, according to Wikipedia, "is considered a professional, competitive sport as well as a popular pup game.
" It is played in many countries around the world and it has three governing bodies, the BDO (British Darts Organization), the WDF ( World Darts Federation) and the PDC (Professional Darts Corporation).
Canada also has a governing body, The National Darts Federation of Canada, and all of these federations were formed as a means of establishing rules and regulations that both professional and recreational darters alike must follow.
This definition answers the first part of my argument, darts is indeed a sport! Next I researched IOC"s rules on the requirements necessary for a sport to make it "onto the Olympic Programme.
" The IOC will recommend a sport to be added to the Olympic Programme provided it is recognized and widely practiced around the world and that it is governed by an International Federation which ensures that the sport's activities follow the Olympic Charter.
Well, I would argue that, because darts is a widely recognized sport that is played in many countries around the world, then the "Sport of Darts" indeed meets the first part of the IOC's criteria.
Secondly, considering the sport of darts has not one, but three governing bodies, four including Canada's governing body, I'm sure it would not be too difficult for any of these governing bodies to ensure that the sport's activities follow the "Olympic Charter".
My final argument as to whether darts is a "sport" and should be included in the Olympics is this, whether you are a professional darter or a recreational one, darts is a sport that requires the player to have exceptional mental stamina.
A player must also practice and perfect his/her skills and have exceptional hand/eye coordination.
I am now prepared to argue with my fellow dart players and perhaps even the IOC that, if archery, badminton,fencing and Beach Volleyball are considered olympic sports, then why not darts? Happy Darting Everyone, Michele Hogg
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