Olympics and Darts…..still at crossroads
Time is flying and there are just a little over a hundred days to go for the 2012 London Olympics to kick off. The most reputable sporting event will soon be kicking off while the fate of some games regarding their inclusion in Olympics still remains uncertain. There is no doubt about the fact that the image and reputation of darts has come a long way.
The game of darts is turning into a million dollar industry with players of the game being awarded jaw dropping contracts, lucrative financial offers and with each championship, the status and position of the game is improving tremendously. However, despite of the efforts being taken to uplift this snobbery image, the fate of darts, regarding its inclusion in Olympics, seems to be oscillating. In order to better understand the argument, it is important to have a look at the different views coming from opposing ends on the issue.
Advocates claiming that darts should be included in Olympics believe that with the passage of time, darts has emerged as a highly competitive game in which players have to remain in regular practice in order to ensure that they are able to deliver their best in the championship or tournament they are competing in. With the structure and dynamics of the game turning increasingly commercial, it is anticipated that it would soon be able to accommodate itself in Olympics.
Another reason that can further catalyze this process is the rising reach of the game of darts. The reach of the game has not only augmented in terms of rising participation of players from different countries but also in the geographical accessibility of the sport. The world championship held this year was telecasted live in Malaysia despite of the vast differences in timings. Furthermore, providing darts its due and deserving recognition would give its players the recognition they have been deprived of during all this time.
On the flip side, the opposition counters all these arguments by simply stating that that the regulatory and governing body of darts is not recognised by the International Olympics Committee (IOC). In order to become a part of the 2012 London Olympics, it is important for the game to be represented by organizations which are recognised by the IOC.
In addition to this, another important counterargument is the fact that in order to make its place in Olympics, a game has to show a minimum amount of physical activity. Even though it would be incorrect to state that darts does not involve physical activity, it does not show any signs of significant physical exertion on part of the player.
This is countered on the grounds of pragmatism/effectiveness of physical exertion being a stipulation for entry of sports in the mega event. If physical exertion in a sport is considered as a vital determinant of its eligibility for Olympics, skipping would seem a much more appropriate game than darts to get a place in Olympics.
Advocates of darts usually bring games like archery and curling when establishing/to establish their point, and the reality is that both these sports, whether it be archery or curling, do involve greater level of physical exertion, especially when compared with darts.
Then there are also other trivial reasons which further plague the grounds of this debate for the advocates of darts and diminish their hopes regarding its inclusion in Olympics. The presence and ease of having a beer during the course of the game is one of them. Rarely any sport would allow its players to have beer before or during the game.
There is an endless list of arguments from both sides but the ultimate fate of darts, regarding its presence in Olympics, will be decided by the IOC which may turn out be a major disappointment for darts’ players and fans.
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