by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Additionally, he watched the Mixed Doubles third round matches and met Thomas Weikert, the recently elected President of the International Table Tennis Federation and Michael Geiger, President of the German Table Tennis Association.

The main top of conversation was the possible introduction of a Mixed Doubles Event at the Olympic Games.

“I enjoyed the Mixed Doubles matches few minutes ago. Personally I think that mixed events can contribute to the development of the sport, particularly for women. However, with the programme for Tokyo you have to wait eight more days; then the IOC Executive Board will have the meeting and come out with the decision.” Thomas Bach

We wait to see and with an air of optimism; certainly it is an event that would be welcomed as table tennis becomes more and more established in the multi-sport spectacular.

“Our next step is to have a fifth event at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. Mr Bach told us that we are already very strong. The data from Rio works in our favour, speaking about social media and TV. He said in Tokyo we would be even stronger. We hope we will have Mixed Doubles in Japan.” Thomas Weikert

The Mixed Doubles event in Tokyo not yet decided; however, one fact that is decided is that the International Table Tennis Federation now has 226 members.

“It is a very impressive figure, but most important thing is that we see that most of them are very active. They do not exist only on paper; they are working on organising the competitions and developing the sport. ITTF is very active and doing a lot to develop the sport for the children and even if you can see the elder people like me.” Thomas Bach

Active and certainly active Presidents; the result of the TTX match; we await with baited breath.