WORLD CHAMPION PHIL Taylor admits darts is unlikely to become an Olympic sport in his lifetime.
Taylor, 52, claimed his 16th world title with a thrilling victory over Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in front of a sold-out crowd in London on New Year’s Day.
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“You’d have a good atmosphere, it’d be exciting to watch (at the Olympics),” he told BBC Sport.
“If we got in there, I’d be chuffed to bits. I don’t think it’ll be in my lifetime but you never know.
“I think the problem is, if you put darts in there, then another sport has got to drop out and I don’t think that’s fair.
“They’ve been there and we’re taking their place, I suppose.”
Taylor’s comments come after former British Olympic Association director of sport Sir Clive Woodward threw his support behind darts.
“Darts is definitely an Olympic sport,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Look at the fans, TV coverage, audience and real skill under pressure.”
Darts is not one of the seven sports bidding to be admitted to the 2020 Olympics, but could be considered for the 2024 Games.
The sports in the running for a place at the 2020 Games are squash, karate, the Chinese martial art of wushu, baseball and softball, roller sports, wakeboarding and sport climbing.
Darts champion Taylor spikes Olympic hopes
WORLD CHAMPION PHIL Taylor admits darts is unlikely to become an Olympic sport in his lifetime.
Taylor, 52, claimed his 16th world title with a thrilling victory over Dutchman Michael van Gerwen in front of a sold-out crowd in London on New Year’s Day.
“You’d have a good atmosphere, it’d be exciting to watch (at the Olympics),” he told BBC Sport.
“If we got in there, I’d be chuffed to bits. I don’t think it’ll be in my lifetime but you never know.
“I think the problem is, if you put darts in there, then another sport has got to drop out and I don’t think that’s fair.
“They’ve been there and we’re taking their place, I suppose.”
Taylor’s comments come after former British Olympic Association director of sport Sir Clive Woodward threw his support behind darts.
Darts is not one of the seven sports bidding to be admitted to the 2020 Olympics, but could be considered for the 2024 Games.
The sports in the running for a place at the 2020 Games are squash, karate, the Chinese martial art of wushu, baseball and softball, roller sports, wakeboarding and sport climbing.
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