The Olympics may have wrapped up, but the debate on whether darts should be included in future Games is still going strong. The discussion recently took center stage on the podcast “Ellen & Naomi Go On in Paris,” where Dutch former field hockey stars Ellen Hoog and Naomi van As shared their thoughts on this hot topic.
Opinions on whether darts belong in the Olympics are often divided. Some of the sport’s biggest names, like Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries, are all for it. They believe that darts have earned their place on the Olympic stage. But not everyone is convinced. Commentators like Paul Nicholson and Jacques Nieuwlaat argue that the chances of darts making it into the Olympics are slim.
Ellen Hoog, however, is intrigued by the idea. “Agree,” she said during the podcast. “I’m a big darts fan. Really a typical Olympic sport. They’re all so nicely trained and fit. No, kidding. It’s a popular TV sport, though. Chess is not an Olympic sport either, that would have to be first and then darts.” Hoog’s comments reflect the ongoing debate about what qualifies a sport for the Olympics, with some sports being more about skill and strategy than physical fitness.
Naomi van As, who has won gold medals in both Beijing and London, is more skeptical. “I do find that difficult with darts,” she said. “It’s an eternal discussion because it looks so a-sporty. They’re all overweight, with a few exceptions. And then they often play in such a dark room, and then everyone’s on beer.” Van As highlights the traditional association of darts with pubs, which has led many to dismiss it as a serious sport.
Hoog agreed, noting how the rowdy behavior of fans contributes to the sport’s image. “All those fans who are completely out of control, all dressed up like morons. I think that’s kind of a laugh to watch.”
Despite this, she acknowledges the skill involved: “It’s clever what they do,” she added, but questioned if it truly belongs in the Olympics.
