Potential for conflict
No desire for the IOC: Darts boss complains massively about the Olympics
Can imagine darts at the Olympics: Michael van Gerwen. photo
© Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
When it comes to darts, they like to stage their own show and don’t allow themselves to be interfered with. With regard to the Olympics, there are signs of a conflict between stars and bosses.
Werner von Moltke, managing director of PDC Europe, used particularly harsh words with regard to the makers. “The Olympics are a crime. The IOC members involved are all filling their pockets and the performers get nothing. They then have to fight hard to get through with sponsors,” von Moltke told the German Press Agency.
Since the IOC wants to make the games ever younger and more modern, there are always rumors about the possible inclusion of darts. These are also fueled by the professionals. Star player Michael van Gerwen from the Netherlands told “Sport Bild” before the World Cup currently taking place in London: “If shooting is an Olympic sport, then why not darts too?” He knows that “the physical aspect is missing. But mentally, darts is harder than all other sports. It’s a one-on-one fight, match after match.”
“Nothing we’re interested in”
The professionals may sometimes dream of gold medals, Olympic rings and unique fame. The bosses see it completely differently. Not only from Moltke, but also Matthew Porter, PDC boss, clearly rejects the topic: “No, that’s not something we’re interested in. We’re a company and not a classic association. It’s difficult because we have it PDC and WDF are two organizations. I don’t see any realistic chances there. I also don’t think it would do much for the sport of darts.”
The complicated association situation is not the only obstacle. In recent years, the PDC and PDC Europe have created a show according to their rules. It should stay that way. “We won’t let ourselves be talked into this. We don’t want to dictate anything or nominate a squad. We don’t want that, it’s presumptuous,” said von Moltke.
The son of former top track and field athlete Werner von Moltke is convinced that the sport belongs in professional hands. “And that’s where money is made: NFL, NBA, Formula 1 – private organizations. In the end, that’s the most honest thing.” For von Moltke, there is “nowhere” greater corruption than in world sport. The darts boss doesn’t say a positive word about the IOC and its work. The core Olympic sports of athletics, swimming and gymnastics “no longer play a role” for von Moltke.
Although the IOC does not pay any bonuses to Olympic champions, according to its own annual reports, it passes on 90 percent of the billions in revenue to the international sports associations and the National Olympic Committees. The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) alone received 30 million euros from IOC sources between the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo five years later.
Professionals insist on a chance at the Olympics
The discussion about darts and the Olympics comes up again and again, often around the World Cup in London and before an Olympic year – like now. “It’s a topic that doesn’t concern us at all. It is often brought to us by third parties. I won’t deal with this topic for a minute,” said von Moltke, who recently spoke out against it at a press conference with the German Prime Minister Gabriel Clemens Olympics and the IOC raged.
The WDF as a world association would be the contact for possible inclusion, but the best players in the world are all active in the PDC. That makes it even more complicated. The professionals are convinced that taking this into account would be justified. “Darts has the potential to become Olympic. It is also a very demanding and strenuous sport,” said Martin Schindler.
Primus Michael Smith sees it the same way. “Darts should already be there. You want to be world champion, you want to win a gold medal, you want to take part in the Olympics,” said the Englishman. The bosses obviously see it completely differently.
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