3 07.07.2005, at 12:02:15
News: BDO STATEMENT REGARDING LONDON
2012 OLYMPICS

"We are delighted by the news", says Olly Croft. "In addition to our application for sports recognition, we were discussing the London bid with politicians and decision makers last year. We will now continue to lobby for darts to be considered for the 2012 Olympics - possibly as the 'invitation sport' to which London as host nation is entitled.
"We have stressed to the media that this is not a gimmick. We are very serious in our intentions for the sport of darts. We have already won sports recognition for darts, and we have every confidence that our darts players can win Gold Medals for the host country in 2012.
"Proof of this is that in September our British teams will be flying to Perth, Australia to compete in the WDF World Cup. Both our England Men's and Women's teams are reigning WDF World Cup champions and since 1977 have brought home more Gold Medals than any other country in the history of this prestigious event.
"Planning ahead for the 2012 Olympics, the BDO has already established the perfect venue for darts - Lakeside Country Club, just outside London in Frimley Green, Surrey. It is already famous for hosting the BDO World Professional Darts Championships and BDO Gold Cup, and is revered throughout the sporting world as 'the home of world darts'.
"The BDO will also be looking into the possibility of setting up coaching courses for young players, as well as establishing a 'Centre of Excellence' for darts, on similar lines to other sports academies.
"This would be integral to the BDO goal of bringing promising young darts players through in readiness for darts being included in the 2012 Olympics.
"It is something that has been talked about for years, but now with sports recognition and the successful London bid, the BDO have recognised that the possibility could now become a reality. As governing body we want to lay plans to establish firm foundations that will benefit the whole sport of
darts for many years to come.
"Implicit in this is the strong BDO commitment that darts should be an integral part of the 2012 Olympic Games in London".

There is much support for these bold initiatives, especially from MARTIN ADAMS, proud captain of the England Men's darts team of Andy Fordham, Mervyn King and Tony O'Shea. He and his team-mates are delighted that the Olympic Games are to be hosted by London in 2012.
"On behalf of all the British players, I have sent congratulations and sincere thanks to all those involved in the successful bid", he says. "It is fantastic news which I hope will benefit darts now that it has been officially recognised as a sport.
"There is no doubt that darts should be an Olympic sport, and if this means being invited as a 'demonstration sport' so be it. However, I would prefer it to make its debut as a proper Olympic sport in London 2012. That would be magic!"

World No.1 and England Women's captain Trina Gulliver echoes Martin's sentiments, adding that a Great Britain, representing the very best of our home country players, would undoubtedly be challenging for medals.

England Men and Women will be defending their World Darts Federation World Cup titles in Perth, Australia this September. Both dominate the competition, with England Men having won the World Cup on eleven occasions (it has been staged fourteen times since 1977) and England Women on six occasions (it has been played eleven times since 1983).