France - July 23, 2024

International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group CEO Steve Dainton foresees a thrilling and intense competition in the sport at the Paris Olympics, with the Chinese team striving for a clean sweep to make up for their regrets from Tokyo 2020.

China has won 32 of 37 golds and 60 of 115 total medals since table tennis debuted at Seoul 1988, but the country was barred from achieving a fourth straight Olympic clean sweep when the Japanese paddlers claimed the mixed doubles title on home turf at Tokyo 2020.

In Dainton's view, the surprise upset raises the stakes for the five table tennis events at this year's competition.

"First of all, we're very excited. It's the first Olympic Games post pandemic. Last time in in Tokyo, we were without crowds, and we're excited to have the all the crowds back here in Paris. And we're basically sold out at the table tennis, so that will bring the atmosphere back that we missed in Tokyo. So we're super excited about that. We've got great expectations for our matches. China are the favorites as usual, but they didn't clean sweep in in Tokyo, so they're looking to fight back here in in Paris. But we've seen a rise of a bunch of new stars since Tokyo. So that will be bringing lots of exciting matches to the table tennis arena," he said.

Dainton said he looks forward to Ma's performance during this year's event, highlighting his contribution to table tennis.

"It will be fantastic to see him in action again, and hopefully, for his sake, winning that sixth gold medal, and then he becomes truly the GOAT of table tennis," said the federation chief, using an acronym for "greatest of all time."

"I think he's played an amazing role. He still plays an amazing role, and he will play an amazing role and a big, important role for the future development of the sport from here on in,” he added.

Reflecting on Tokyo 2020, Dainton said he has seen the Chinese team working hard with an aim to reclaim their position.

"I think in Tokyo, was a bit of a shock for all of us to see Japan win the mix doubles. So it wasn't a clean sweep in Tokyo, four gold to China and one gold to Japan. We know and have seen since then that they've been working extremely hard on the mixed doubles event. They go in favorites, of course, but I think they went in hot favorites last time as well. So yeah, I think we can see how important it is for them to win the five gold medals. On the other hand, for us, it's interesting to see the challenges and we hope that will be very exciting and not so easy to take the clean sweep for China," he said.

SHOTLIST:
Paris, France - July 23, 2024
1. Various of flags, Eiffel Tower;

France - Recent
2. SOUDNBITE (English) Steve Dainton, CEO, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group:
"First of all, we're very excited. It's the first Olympic Games post pandemic. Last time in in Tokyo, we were without crowds, and we're excited to have the all the crowds back here in Paris. And we're basically sold out at the table tennis, so that will bring the atmosphere back that we missed in Tokyo. So we're super excited about that. We've got great expectations for our matches. China are the favorites as usual, but they didn't clean sweep in in Tokyo, so they're looking to fight back here in in Paris. But we've seen a rise of a bunch of new stars since Tokyo. So that will be bringing lots of exciting matches to the table tennis arena.";

Paris, France - Recent
3. Various of Eiffel Tower, Olympics logo;

France - Recent
4. SOUDNBITE (English) Steve Dainton, CEO, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group:
"It will be fantastic to see him in action again, and hopefully, for his sake, winning that sixth gold medal, and then he becomes truly the GOAT of table tennis. I think he's played an amazing role. He still plays an amazing role, and he will play an amazing role and a big, important role for the future development of the sport from here on in.";

Roissy, France - July 15, 2024
5. Various of Chinese table tennis team at airport;

France - Recent
6. SOUDNBITE (English) Steve Dainton, CEO, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group:
"I think in Tokyo, was a bit of a shock for all of us to see Japan win the mix doubles. So it wasn't a clean sweep in Tokyo, four gold to China and one gold to Japan. We know and have seen since then that they've been working extremely hard on the mixed doubles event. They go in favorites, of course, but I think they went in hot favorites last time as well. So yeah, I think we can see how important it is for them to win the five gold medals. On the other hand, for us, it's interesting to see the challenges and we hope that will be very exciting and not so easy to take the clean sweep for China.";

Paris, France - Recent
7. Olympic logo.

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