darts_aint_sport

The rules have the game haven't changed, only the organisation, and the last time I checked, the way a sport is organised has nothing to do with whether an activity is considered a sport.

Senior_AP

Bristow can't get past the qualifying rounds at the worlds these days.

Why? cos he's older......funny, most other sports seem to share the same pattern. when you get older your ability to compete diminishes.

Senior_AP

Darts has developed just as football has, and athletics.

New techniques, new technology.

To suggest nothing has changed it both simplistic and ill informed.

TelBoy

We won't mention Davis getting to the UK snooker final the other week at 48 then, ok?


LOL, you have an opinion, guided by what some "authority" says, but in all other respects, you're wrong about darts being a sport. It's a game.

Duck_Pond

Not ability to compete, desire to. People like Bristow have been there, done that... like in snooker, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry aren't the best anymore because they've won all there is to win, and motivating themselves to do 7 hours practice each day is hard once all the goals have been achieved.

darts_aint_sport

You're missing the point. The rules of football haven't changed, (well okay, minor ones have like the backpass rule) but the fundamentals of it have never changed. It's always been a sport regardless. Darts rules have essentially never changed, yet you say it is now a sport because it has developed over 30 years. So what over this 30 years has made it into a sport!?

TelBoy

This i HAVE to pick up on.

What, specifically, is different about darts, in terms of the techniques used and the influence that has on whether something is a game or a sport? Are you seriously suggesting darts is now more physically demanding than it was 10 years ago? Or are you confusing this with the fitness regimes undertaken in order to be able to play without fatigue for longer? I think you are. Darts itself is a game. Being fit helps, but it is not a necessity. Therein lies the crucial difference.

Senior_AP

Ok, it's based on the levels. As more money has become involved the level has increased. Top players employ physios now to get the advantage. You'll find only the ones that use physios are successful.... (used predominantly for throwing arms).

The board has changed, using different wire. A V-shaped "diamond" cut reducing bounce outs. Darts have developed, flights have developed.

Yes, as in football the fundamentals have not changed but development has taken place. Both human and with regards to technology.

Now, you may laugh at the "v-shaped diamond" comment.....but before you do, is this any less significant than a runner having a torsion bar in his trainer or a football being made from a different material??

RichWalk

I'd love to meet Andy Fordhams physio, he must rival Derren Brown for deluding folk

Gav

the players are not allowed to drink beer while playing now. they used to be able to. Darts has been cleaned up, trying to get it away from the image it used to have and it will only get better. I cant be arsed with the debate whether it's a sport or not. People have there opinion on it and are entitled to it so nuff said

gav..

Senior_AP

Fordham was not fit, he could not compete.

There is my evidence - where is yours?


I'm not suggesting they are as fit as football players - but like all sports, as long as the criteria is fulfilled there will always be variations in how much of a given criteria is required. Darts players need, in order to compete at the highest level a certain degree of fitness. Doing a high jump requires little mental requirement - does this question it's validity as "sport"?? No, of course it doesn't.

TelBoy

Fordham is in the world's top 16 darts players and an ex World Champion - just how finely are you now trying to split hairs?

TelBoy

Oh my God, the plot is now officially lost!! Of ALL the track and field activities, you have to ham-fistedly pick on the one that DOES require a huge amount of mental preparation. Laughable. Quit while you think you're ahead!

Senior_AP

Was.

His weight became such an issue that he could not compete any more in that elite.

He's just been knocked out of the first round of the BDO world darts, after 30 mins he looked a mess.

Darts developed, he didn't, he loses.

TelBoy

He was almost DEAD for Christ's sake!!! You're making it sound like he wasn't quite getting under 9.8 seconds for the 100 metres!!! LOL

Senior_AP

You are right to pick me up on that, I was referring to mental abilities with regard to opposition.

As a footnote, I don't think I am ahead, behind left or right. I don't have to argue based on opinion I can now state on grounds of fact.

When I started this thread I was not aware of darts' status. As such there was debate. Now however things have changed.

Senior_AP

My point entirely.

TelBoy

You're right, some body in whose interests it is, has "declared" darts to be a sport. If i was them, i'd have done the same thing. But they all know it's a game at the end of the day, but there isn't a Minister for Games with pennies in his pocket. Ah well.

Senior_AP

Someone at some point decided that cocaine is illegal - some may argue that it's just cos the governmet can't make tax on it. However, when all is said and done - it is illegal.

Someone at some point decided that doing 31mph in a 30mph zone is illegal - some may argue that it's just cos the governmet want to make money on it. However, when all is said and done - it is illegal.

Who decided whether darts is a sport?? The governing body of sport or some scoobynet users......??

You may not like it, but I'm afraid it's true.

TelBoy

Oh come off it, being one step away from death through obesity says NOTHING about the fitness level in general for a given activity. Fordham was still a World contender, even in HIS state. Proving that darts is a game that any unfit fekker can play, and do well at. In other words, not a sporting pursuit in any respect. You're just assisting me prove the point!

davyboy

Reminds me of these towns trying to be gain city status.

Preston; we all knows it's a town, but some men with beards have deceided that it's now to be a city.

TelBoy

I couldn't give a flying ****, all i DO know, being a sportsman, is that darts *isn't* a sport, no matter HOW this little organisation has self interestedly (you DO understand their motives, right???) declared it. But if their definition is good enough for you, then great, it has to be for someone i guess!

Senior_AP

Many of you on here are to darts; what my mother is to football.....

"just a bunch of blokes kicking a ball around".

***Say's it all***




Thread title: Is darts a sport??

Thread answer: Yes, as from March 2005 darts is Sport.


I thank you all for your time.

davyboy

I think your mother would appreciate that footballers are on the whole athletic.

RichWalk

Is drinking classed as a sport yet??

TelBoy

On an Olympic level, where you're concerned, Rich

darts_aint_sport

http://geraldton.yourguide.com.au/im...umbNail400.jpg

For all we know this is a photo of the future world champions

Reality

Proof enough if anyone needed.

Simon / Shaun think this is not Sports related - ergo it aint sport as a great username suggests





ps Simon/Shaun don't ******* move it now

PG

It's official.
The DARTS thread from earlier was moved to SPORT.
The SN moderators have spoken !!
Darts shall henceforth be known as a sport ! No question !

oik