Should snooker by an Olympic sport? Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve Davis divided over possibility

Six time snooker world champion Steve Davis has hinted that he would support the sport becoming an Olympic event.

Snooker was played at the first Paralympic Games back in 1960 and had contested until falling off the programme in 1988 - however it has never been an Olympic event, despite strong calls from the governing body. And those were echoed by Davis on BBC punditry for a dramatic Masters final between Kyren Wilson and Shaun Murphy. Reacting to news about the BBC extending its broadcasting deal for the Triple Crown events, he said: "It's fantastic news, it shows how popular the sport has been in the UK, but I think one of the reasons is how big it gets worldwide now as well. It's incredible, who is to say that one day it doesn't make the Olympics?"

Presenter Hazel Irvine added: "There is certainly plenty of pushing for that and, indeed, for the Paralympics as well." Hopes had been high that snooker could make the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but it missed out on a spot there - and in Paris 2024. Previously it had formed part of the Asian Games between 1998 and 2010.

Snooker, along with darts and chess, had hoped to earn a place at Paris 2024 - however none of the sports were successful, despite growing audiences. Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, last year told the Telegraph: "Each country in the world would be able to open an academy, to have sports funding for medal hopefuls. It would change our landscape in the UK because the funding we get for projects to develop snooker in this country is tiny compared to other sports competing in the Olympics.

“It’s constantly a battle when you see snooker clubs closing and being turned into flats. Fortunately we have stopped the