They'd be nuts to leave darts out

Mention arrows at the Olympics and archery normally springs to mind.

Think again.

Darts world champion Andy Fordham is throwing his weight behind a campaign to get the sport ratified by the IOC.

The Viking insisted: "Darts should be recognised by the Olympics. Archery and shooting are, so why not darts?"

Fordham has joined forces with Nuts magazine to launch a petition calling for the oche to become a fixture of the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Pubs across Britain are also lending their support.

"Going to the World Cup (with England) and picking up medals is a great feeling, imagine going to the Olympics and doing that," BDO champ Fordham said.

"It wouldn't hurt, having an Olympic gold medal on the wall."

Darts is the latest indoor pursuit to chase the Olympic dream.

Last week a group of poker players made their case for the card game to be included in the Games.