WHAT
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are here! It’s a historic moment, with Paris marking the 10th time table tennis has been part of the Games. With the action about to begin, check out the facts you need to know to stay on top of all tennis de table about to come your way.
WHEN
15 days of competition | 27 July – 10 August
MEDAL DAYS
- Mixed Doubles – Tuesday 30 July
- Women’s Singles – Saturday 3 August
- Men’s Singles – Sunday 4 August
- Men’s Teams – Friday 9 August
- Women’s Teams – Saturday 10 August
WHERE
South Paris Arena 4 is where the ping pong popping. Located in Paris’s 15th arrondissement on the Left Bank, South Paris Arena 4 is part of the bustling Paris Expo Porte de Versailles complex. This versatile venue will host table tennis, serving up world-class competition in the heart of the French capital. After the Games, it will resume its role as a key exhibition centre. Handball, volleyball, and weightlifting will also be staged at the South Paris Arena complex during the Olympics.
View these key information as you get ready to catch tennis de table from 15:00 (GMT+2).
STORY SPOTLIGHTS
Locals in the City of Lights | The Lebrun brothers, WTT Series sensations, are set to ignite their home crowd at the Paris Olympics. In just two years, Felix and Alexis have skyrocketed to World No. 5 and 16 respectively, spearheading France’s medal hopes. With WTT titles and World Championships podium finishes already secured, they aim to end France’s 24-year Olympic medal drought. The hometown squad’s depth also suggest the local crowd could be in for a treat. Two-time Olympian Simon Gauzy leads the men’s team with his experience on the big stage, while Jia Nan Yuan‘s stalwart status helps bolster the women’s front. Then comes Prithika Pavade’s recent giant slaying ways. At WTT Star Contender Ljubljana Pavade scored wins over Top 10 heavy hitters like Mima Ito and Shin Yubin, hinting at the excitement to come across the board.
Gold Up For Grabs | On top of the Lebrun brothers aiming to be the pride of Paris, the Men’s Singles event is shaping up to be a high-stakes showdown of legendary proportions. While Ma Long, the two-time Olympic singles gold medalist, focuses solely on the team event in what could be his Olympic swansong, all eyes turn to his compatriots Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin. With a World Championships title in his belt, Tokyo 2020’s silver medalist, hungers for gold, while Wang Chuqin’s recent dominance and rise to top seed, sets the stage for an epic Chinese rivalry. But don’t count out Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the 4th seed with seven WTT Series titles, who’s primed to challenge China’s 16-year Olympic singles reign. With rising stars and established champions colliding, the Men’s Singles promises to be a thrilling battleground where new legacies will be forged.
Sun vs Hayata | Sun Yingsha and Hina Hayata, WTT Series powerhouses, are set for an Olympic showdown in Paris. Sun, World No.1 since July 2022, enters with, an ITTF World Championships title, an ITTF World Cup title, 11 WTT Series singles titles and a hunger for the one gold that’s eluded her. Hayata, Women’s Singles 3rd seed, with seven WTT Series crowns, aims to upset China’s 36-year singles medal streak on her Olympic debut. Their previous battles have electrified fans – now they’ll write the next chapter on the biggest stage.
The rivalry spills into Mixed Doubles, adding another layer to this clash. Sun and Wang Chuqin, the world No.1 pair, seek redemption after China’s shock defeat in Tokyo. Hayata teams up with Tomokazu Harimoto, riding four recent WTT Series wins as they aim to keep Japan’s golden hopes alive. Then all eyes will be on the Women’s Teams as China and Japan sit on opposite sides of the draw and look towards a showdown for gold. With medals and legacy on the line in both events, these stars are primed to deliver Olympic drama.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Visit ITTF.com and WTT throughout the Games for our daily coverage on all the action direct from Paris and follow our social media accounts, ITTF World (@ittfworld) and WTT (@wtt).
