The Chinese national table tennis team arrived in Paris on Monday, gearing up for the highly anticipated 2024 Summer Olympic Games set to begin on July 26 in the French capital.
Eight elite players—Wang Chuqin, Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Liang Jingkun, Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng, Wang Manyu, and Wang Yidi—are set to compete in all five events. The competitions kick off with the mixed doubles preliminary round on July 27 and conclude with the women’s team final on August 10.
According to China Media Group (CMG), the team will enter the Olympic Village on July 22, where they plan to use their first week to adjust and overcome jet lag.
Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, emphasized the importance of acclimatizing to the new environment to ensure peak performance.
As a longstanding powerhouse in table tennis, China secured four out of five gold medals in the sport at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Defending champions Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng, and Wang Manyu are determined to replicate their success in Paris.
Reflecting on their preparations, Ma Long shared, \"I\'m both happy and excited to be back on such a stage.\" Wang Chuqin added, \"I think I have been growing better and better both physically and mentally.\" Fan Zhendong stated, \"After recent preparation, training and practice, I think I\'m ready for the Olympic Games.\" Sun Yingsha expressed her pride, saying, \"I feel both excited and proud to be in this national team jersey.\" Lastly, Chen Meng, competing in her second Olympics, said, \"This is my second Olympic Games and I\'m excited about it.\"
With their arrival in Paris, the Chinese table tennis team is poised to showcase their skills and continue their legacy of excellence on the Olympic stage.
Reference(s):
Chinese national table tennis team in Paris for 2024 Summer Olympics
cgtn.com
