A member of the Dutch Parliament has voiced support for including darts in the Olympic Games, with prominent figures in the sport also expressing excitement. Jimme Nordkamp, a 29-year-old MP representing the municipality of Losser in Eastern Netherlands and a member of the Labour Party, is an avid darts player advocating for the sport’s recognition on the global stage.
Nordkamp believes that darts, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, deserves to be taken more seriously and considered for Olympic inclusion. He emphasized the growth of darts as an international sport with a massive global audience, stating that it is now top-level competition deserving of Olympic status.
Renowned Dutch darts player Michael van Gerwen, a three-time World Champion, expressed openness to the idea of darts becoming an Olympic sport in the future. While acknowledging the professionalism and global reach of darts, he deferred the decision to the Olympic Committee, Matchroom Sport, and the PDC.
Another top-ranked player, Luke Humphries, echoed support for darts in the Olympics, highlighting the sport’s potential but expressing uncertainty about its immediate inclusion due to perceived lack of momentum. However, he acknowledged that if darts were included, Great Britain would be a strong contender for gold considering the dominance of players like Littler and Humphries in major events.
Despite the enthusiasm for darts in the Olympics, a key challenge lies in the sport’s organizational structure. The International Olympic Committee requires a single global governing body for sports in the games, which poses a hurdle as the PDC, while prominent in professional darts, does not meet this criterion.
The Olympics has shown openness to new sports in recent years, such as golf and rugby 7s, welcoming top athletes into the global sporting event. The upcoming 2028 games in Los Angeles will feature American Flag Football and Squash as new additions, signaling a willingness to diversify the Olympic program.