Shortly before the start of the annual world championship, Dutch darts professional Michael van Gerwen suggested inclusion in the Olympic program. In doing so, he started an Olympic debate in the sport. But the world association PDC is critical of the Olympics.
The core Olympic sports, such as athletics, gymnastics, swimming and wrestling, have lost extreme importance due to their focus on the Olympics, said Werner von Moltke, PDC managing director for the German-speaking region in the Dlf. “The Olympics essentially don’t help anyone,” said the son of former track and field athlete Werner von Moltke. The ex-athlete, who died in 2019, had been German champion several times and once European champion in the decathlon.
Focusing only on the Olympics
The problem with traditional sports is that the associations say “All that matters is the Olympics,” said the darts official. As a result, the sports would not have a permanent presence. In contrast to popular sports such as Formula 1, tennis or football, which would take place regularly.
This partly has to do with the funding, which is only geared towards success at the Olympics and what the sports then focus on. “It’s not thinking about the athlete,” criticized von Moltke.
Professional athletes need earning opportunities
No athlete should only be dependent on one event that takes place every four years. Many professional dart players can pursue their profession every weekend and now even during the week. The associations would also have to create the structures so that the athletes have an economic existence. The main thing is to keep the sport permanently present.
Inclusion in the Olympic program for darts is not attractive. “The IOC stands for what sporting values? Bribery, corruption?” von Moltke asked.
“Sport is business. Sport is commerce. All sport is commerce.”
Doping problem in darts?
When asked about a doping problem in professional darts, including alcohol, the sports official denied a doping problem. “That doesn’t matter to us in professional sports. We have nothing to hide.” The sports show recently reported that darts had an alcohol and doping problem. According to information from the ARD doping editorial team, there have been repeated suspected cases of doping at German championships.
The World Darts Championship will take place between December 15th and January 3rd at Alexandra Palace in London. The organizer, the World Darts Association PDC, follows the UK anti-doping regulations, which do not mention alcohol. However, the German Dart Association (DDV) will carry out alcohol checks on players from next season. Although alcohol is not on the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), the DDV sees “certain performance-enhancing potential”.