The Olympic Table Tennis competition which concluded yesterday will be remembered vividly for its extraordinary display of passion and enthusiasm, marking a historic success for the sport. Over 230,000 spectators filled the South Paris Arena 4 throughout the 15 days of competition, creating an electric atmosphere that resonated far beyond the venue’s walls.
With a full house every day, the arena welcomed 6,500 fans per session across 36 sessions, showcasing the growing global appeal of table tennis. The vibrant crowds were a spectacle in themselves—adorned in colorful outfits, waving flags, holding signs, and singing songs to cheer on their favourite players.
Table Tennis was one of the hottest tickets of the Olympics, attracting high-profile attendees such as French football legend Zinedine Zidane, Team USA and NBA star Anthony Edwards, and numerous other sports icons and dignitaries.
Spectators were treated to unforgettable moments, including France’s first table tennis medal in 24 years when Félix Lebrun secured bronze in Men’s Singles. The crowd also bid an emotional farewell to German legend Timo Boll, who retired from international table tennis after these Games in front of thousands of fans and his friend Dirk Nowitzki.
The arena was constantly alive with roaring cheers, applause and the stomping of feet. The audience not only celebrated the successes of their homegrown heroes but also demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship, applauding great rallies from opponents with equal enthusiasm.
The electric atmosphere was not just felt by those in the stands but also by the athletes themselves.
“I was expecting something crazy, and it’s even crazier than I imagined. I got a huge thrill during my match. It feels great!” said French table tennis star Simon Gauzy, who took bronze in Men’s Team, reflecting on his experience after his first match.
Gauzy’s sentiments echoed those of many players, who were energized by the incredible support and are already longing to experience such an atmosphere again. “The atmosphere was very good, said Olympic Singles Champion Fan Zhendong, I believe that athletes from both countries can perform better in such an atmosphere.” Spain’s Alvaro Robles described it as “the best atmosphere and crowd ever felt in [his] life.”
The overwhelming success of this event has set a new benchmark for what table tennis at the Olympics can achieve, leaving both players and fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the sport’s Olympic journey. All eyes are already on LA28.
