A member of the Dutch parliament has voiced support for including darts as a new sport in the Olympic Games, backed by prominent figures in the darts community. Jimme Nordkamp, a 29-year-old MP representing the municipality of Losser in Eastern Netherlands, who is also a member of the Labour Party, is an avid player and believes that darts deserves recognition on the global stage.
Nordkamp highlighted the growing popularity of darts, especially following the emergence of Luke Littler, and emphasized the need for the sport to be taken seriously. He stated, “Darts should become an Olympic sport as it has evolved into a top-level competition with a significant international following. It is time to acknowledge its status as a proper international sport.”
Three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen from the Netherlands expressed openness to the idea of darts becoming an Olympic sport, noting that the sport’s professionalism and global appeal make it a viable candidate for inclusion. Similarly, World No 2 Luke Humphries welcomed the prospect of darts in the Olympics, although he acknowledged that it might take some time to gain sufficient traction for the sport to be considered.
The potential addition of darts to the Olympic Games could position Great Britain as a strong contender for gold, given the dominance of players like Littler and Humphries in major darts events. However, an obstacle to darts’ Olympic inclusion is its organizational structure, as the International Olympic Committee requires sports to be governed by a single global body, which the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) currently does not meet.
Recent years have seen the Olympics embrace new sports like golf and Rugby 7s, demonstrating a willingness to evolve and diversify. The upcoming 2028 games in Los Angeles will introduce American Flag Football and Squash as new sports, showcasing the ongoing expansion and inclusivity of the Olympic Games.