Steve Backley wants darts at the Olympics
Mon 17/11/2008 10:03
Three-time Olympic medallist Steve Backley swapped his javelin for a smaller set of arrows and proved just as effective to win £8000 in a Pro-Celebrity darts challenge.
Backley, who retired from athletics after finishing fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, hit the winning double to land the lucrative first prize playing alongside his partner, darts professional
James Wade at the Wolverhampton Civic in England.
The former javelin star and Wade defeated the pairing of
multiple world darts champion Phil Taylor and former
Liverpool soccer star Neil Ruddock to claim the glory in the televised competition which featured eight celebrities paired with darts stars.
"I took a step back during the final and looked around because I was in awe of playing with Phil Taylor and James Wade," said Backley.
"
I didn't think it could get any better, and then I hit the winning double! I felt I got better as the tournament went on, and that showed in the final."
Backley added: "
I think darts should be included in the Olympics. It's not too late to get it in there for 2012 in London and I'd love to see that!"
Wade, who is ranked third best player in the world, added: "I was certainly drawn with the right partner. Steve was pretty good and it was good for him to get the winning double."