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Thursday, 4 January, 2001, 12:58 GMT
See for yourself
Ted Hankey wins the Embassy World Darts Championship 2000
Ted 'The Count' Hankey prepares to defend his title
As the Embassy World Darts Championship get underway from 6-14 January, BBC's Sport's Ray Stubbs explains why the sport is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

When you walk into the Lakeside, you just get absolutely taken over by the atmosphere.

When the players go out onto the stage, the buzz there is incredible.

Critics of darts and the championships should go there.

They should take the time, trouble and courtesy to meet the players and then form an opinion.

I don't think people realise how dedicated they are.

Anyone who has ever thrown a dart knows how hard it is to achieve that level of consistency.

Colourful characters

We should get something straight;

If darts is aiming a projectile at a target to score points, then isn't that the same as archery and shooting?

I think it is.

Of course, no-one would pretend that the split between the two darts organisations isn't damaging, but the popularity of the sport is definitely on the increase.

How can you fail to take an interest when you hear some of the names?

Andy Fordham
Andy 'The Viking': too sexy for his shirt?
What other sport would have a world champion whose hero is Dracula i.e. Ted 'The Count' Hankey.

I remember Andy 'The Viking' Fordham asking me to try and get the soundtrack of the film "The Vikings."

When I told him it might be difficult, he said he would settle for Right Said Fred's "I'm Too Sexy" being played when he makes his entrance!

Clearly it's going to be a lot of fun for darts fans and neutral spectators alike and I'm looking forward to it.

Don't forget that there will be a website and e-mail address to pose questions to darts legend Bobby George.

Actually, I remember telling Bobby once that he was the Alan Hansen of the sport.

He replied: "Is that good? Who's Alan Hansen?"

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