Here's what you need to know about table tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
When did table tennis become an Olympic sport?
Debuting in 1988 when the city of Seoul successfully bid for the Summer Olympics, table tennis has remained an Olympic staple ever since, with Paris hosting the event for the 10th time.
How do you play table tennis at the Olympics?
Medals will be awarded in five competitions over two weeks. Men's and Women's Singles Contests. and a mixed doubles tournament added in 2021.
Each singles tournament is single-elimination with 64 participants (maximum 2 per country), with byes awarded to the top players. These games will be played in a best-of-seven format, with each game being decided from first to 1 point to first to 11 points (win by 2 points).
The mixed doubles tournament will feature 16 teams, with one entry allowed per country, and will be played in a best-of-five format.
Team competition consists of two singles matches, one doubles match, and two singles matches if necessary, with the first team to win three matches advancing through a 16-team single-elimination draw. All team matches are best of five.
Eligibility for all events is determined based on a combination of designated continental and international tournament results and world rankings. Each country will be represented by up to three men and three women.
The semi-final losers in all events will compete for the bronze medal.
Who are Team USA's top athletes in table tennis?
Although not expected to compete for a medal, Kanak Jha qualified for the men's singles through the ITTF Americas Olympic Qualification Tournament and will be competing in his third Olympics. He failed to qualify in 2016 when he was 16, but won two qualifying round matches in Tokyo to advance to the last 32. By earning a spot at the Pan American Games, the U.S. will compete in the women's team event, with two singles entries. Those slots are joined by four-time Olympians Lily Zhang and Amy Wang, both of whom are ranked in the top 40.
What is the international situation regarding Olympic table tennis?
This was more or less a one-country show. Since being added to the Summer Games, China has won 32 of 37 gold medals and 20 of 37 silver medals. Sun Yingsha, who won runner-up at the Tokyo Games, comes to Paris as the clear number one on the women's side, while on the men's side, Wang Qiuqin has risen to the top of the world since being selected as an alternate for the Chinese national team. 2021.
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