MARDLE SAYS DARTS DOES NOT BELONG IN THE OLYMPICS

WAYNE MARDLE believes darts should NOT be in the Olympics.

The sport is booming globally, drawing record-breaking crowds and huge TV audiences, sparking fresh calls for the oche to be included in future Olympic programmes. 

But former pro Mardle is firmly against the idea and says the arrows do not fit the traditional image of a five-ring discipline. 

Mardle insists a gold medal would never represent the pinnacle of the game. 

He told Joe: “It should not be in the Olympics. The absolute pinnacle of an Olympian is a gold medal. 

“That would not be the pinnacle of a darts player. Olympians back in the day were born different. 

“That is what I believe Olympians should be. I don’t like half the sports that are in it. 

“And we are going to go down pistol shooting, rifling, archery and all that. 

“It’s like they’re in it and darts should be in it. If that’s the argument then yes. 

“Just no, not for me.” 

World No.2 Luke Humphries reckons the sport’s growth and popularity make a strong case for inclusion. 

‘Cool Hand’ is only one of four players to have won the World Championship, World Matchplay and Premier League. 

The Cheshire thrower declares it would represent the final box left to tick in his glittering career.

He said: “With some of the sports that are Olympic sports, if darts ain’t bigger than breakdancing then that is crazy. 

“I have pretty much won everything else in darts that I can win. Without winning the gold medal that would be the next one to win wouldn’t it.” 

Three-time world champ Michael van Gerwen offered a more blunt view, adding: “I think it is a mix between sport and entertainment. Whatever people say about it I don’t care anyway.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.