'Zhao Xintong's world title can help snooker's Olympic bid'
China's Zhao Xintong becoming world champion could help snooker's bid to enter the Olympic Games, says the sport's chair.
The 28-year-old became the first Chinese player to win the World Championship in Sheffield on Monday.
Jason Ferguson, chair of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), believes Zhao's success will create opportunities for the sport in Asia as well as worldwide - while aiding its chance of being included at Brisbane 2032.
"Realistically, Australia is a target," Ferguson said.
"We're talking to all the multi-sport bodies. There's a lot of politics involved, but the size of snooker and how important China is to the IOC [International Olympic Committee], someone has to look at this and say 'this is now snooker's time'."
Snooker failed in its attempts to be included at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.
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