Table tennis is a ball game similar to lawn tennis. Ping-pong and whiff-whaff are some other names for table tennis. The game is famous everywhere in the world. It is a highly competitive sport in many countries, especially in Asia and Europe, China and Japan.
From July 27 to August 10, 2024, the top table tennis players in the world will light up South Paris Arena 4. At the Paris Olympics 2024, there will be 172 table tennis players competing overall. The number of players is divided equally between men and women from the various NOCs, much like in previous years' events.
A maximum of six table tennis players from each NOC may compete in the five medal events, with a maximum of two competitors per NOC in the men's and women's singles.
France, the host country, has reserved a spot for each of the men's and women's teams, one for each gender, to compete in the singles competition and the mixed doubles.
History of Table Tennis
Table tennis made its Olympic debut in 1988 in Seoul, where men's and women's singles and pairs matches were held. The team competition took the place of the doubles competition in 2008. Mixed doubles were added to the schedule for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, increasing the number of events to five.
These events are equally divided between the two genders. Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary dominated the sport until the middle of the 20th century.
Table tennis was added to the Olympic schedule in Seoul in 1988. Chinese athletes have ruled the game, taking home a total of 60 medals, including 32 gold ones.
Table Tennis Rules
Table tennis is a ball game played on a flat table that is split into two equal playing surfaces by a net. The net is fixed in the middle of the table. Striking the ball to get it to cross the net and bounce on the other player's side of the table is the aim.
The aim is to strike the ball so that the other player cannot reach it or properly return it. The players' rackets push the light hollow ball back and forth across the net. In a singles match, the winner is the first player to score 11 points. Singles matches are best-of-seven games.
Teams compete in four singles matches and one doubles match. Three players make up each team, and a match is completed when a team has won three straight games. Doubles matches involve players taking turns hitting the ball.
Table and Paddle
The dimensions of a standard-size table tennis table are 9 feet long by 5 feet wide and 2.5 feet high. It offers a flat, smooth playing field that is separated by a net. The surface of the table should have a uniform dark color, typically blue or green. It has white sidelines and a center line that divides it in half.
Table tennis bats are constructed of wood and have two layers of rubber covering them. When hitting the ball, the rubber surface improves grip and spin control. The standard dimensions of a paddle are 10 inches in length and 6 inches in width. To fit their preferred playing style, players can select paddles with different rubber thicknesses and textures.