After Paris 2024, many darts players have spoken out in support of darts becoming an official Olympic sport.
Michael van Gerwen, Luke Humphries, and Michael Smith have all backed the idea of the sport making its way to the Olympic stage, but it’s been dampened by PDC officials.
PDC chief executive Matt Porter revealed the reasons why the sport is unlikely to reach Los Angeles in 2028.
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Darts at the Olympics is not ‘hugely realistic’
In his role as chief executive, Porter has helped develop the sport into the global phenomenon it has become but he concedes that darts at the Olympics is not feasible in the near future.
Speaking to The Standard, Porter said: “I can see why, from a player’s perspective, the prospect of winning a gold medal would be extremely appealing.
“But if you look at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) criteria for membership, darts is some way off hitting those targets. I don’t think it’s hugely realistic.”
“The sport just doesn’t fit what the Olympics needs or wants. We’re aware of that, which is why we don’t push it.”
As darts does not have a governing body, the sport can’t feature at the Olympics.
Darts does not need the Olympics
Darts is more popular that it ever has been and its introduction into the Olympics would cut into the PDC’s vast business across the world.
During Paris 2024, the PDC was in the Southern Hemisphere for the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong and played out three Players Championship events.
With such a packed schedule, there isn’t room for the players to even think about another international excursion.