Germany ‘joins China’ in complaining Olympic table tennis areas are too small
- Chinese team’s coach says he and his players are not only ones worried about size
- International federation says Olympic regulations met, although may move referee tables
Liu measured the area with his feet, initially at least, according to China’s state broadcaster CCTV on Monday, when the coach first flagged the issue. He said it was too easy for players to hit the surrounding area and referee tables.
Germany had, like China, talked to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Liu said on Thursday. “The ITTF is actively trying to find a solution,” he added.
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China’s Tokyo Olympics delegation will be nation’s biggest yet for an international sporting event
While Germany is not believed to have commented to the media, ITTF technical representative Chan Cheong-ki, from Hong Kong, told Xinhua on Wednesday that the site measured 8 by 16 metres and therefore met Olympic requirements.
He noted that two referee tables did seem slightly in the athletes’ way and added: “The venue itself cannot be changed now. A solution is to pull the referee tables as far back as possible, or even remove the board behind the table.”
On Thursday Liu seemed to backtrack somewhat, accepting Chan’s first proposal.
“World competitions normally have areas measuring 7 by 14 metres, while finals require 8 by 16 metres. I have just measured it at 6 by 11 metres,” Liu told CCTV. “I’m a little worried about the athletes’ running and their safety.”
Liu said the referee tables occupy significant space.
His players also expressed concern, with one who is 1.81 metres tall saying several of his serves had hit a nearby board. “I hope the space can be bigger,” Xu Xin told CCTV on Monday.
Xu said running back and forth was often the “edge” a player with a so-called penhold grip had if he or she was to win a crucial point. Xu, who uses such a grip – rare in today’s national team – will play mixed doubles with world champion Liu Shiwen.
China’s eight-member table tennis squad includes reigning Olympic champion Ma Long and world No 1 Fan Zhendong in the men’s singles. Rio women’s champion Ding Ning has retired, opening the way for world No 1 Chen Meng and No 3 Sun Yingsha.
The Asian powerhouse has won 28 of the 32 table tennis titles awarded at the Olympics.
The only other countries to win Olympic gold in the sport are South Korea and Sweden, while Japan is counting on a home advantage and notably strong players including women’s world No 2 Mima Ito and Tomokazu Harimoto in the men’s competition.
While China is eyeing a clean sweep at Tokyo, the pandemic-delayed Games has thrown up several challenges including new rules to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
These, including not wiping the table with hands and not blowing on the ball, according to Liu, made preparations “extremely difficult”.
On Thursday China’s table tennis boss appeared to concede that other than Chan’s suggestion not much else could be done without dislodging scores of electricity and television cables under the floor.
“Referee tables can be moved back by nearly 50cm. This is the biggest thing that can be done within the limits. The size of the venue is fair to everyone, whether it is the Chinese team, the German team or the ITTF, which is actively trying to solve the problem,” he said.
“It is all about pushing for the development of the sport. To ensure the safety of athletes is the first priority, with television broadcasts coming second.”
