Mixed Team Event Elevates Olympic Table Tennis at LA28: ITTF
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Synopsis
The ITTF announced that the introduction of the mixed team event for the LA28 Olympic Games significantly enhances the Olympic table tennis program, with a total of six events scheduled, promoting gender equality and teamwork.
Key Takeaways
- Mixed team event added to Olympic schedule.
- Total of six events in table tennis at LA28.
- Return of men's and women's doubles events since 2008.
- Promotes gender equality in the sport.
- Historic milestone for Olympic table tennis.
Beijing, April 10 (NationPress) The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has announced that the addition of the mixed team event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games "significantly enhances the Olympic table tennis program."
This decision was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board on Wednesday. The men's and women's doubles events will now replace the men's and women's team events. At LA28, the total number of table tennis events will increase to six: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, mixed doubles, and a mixed team event.
"This historic development significantly enhances the Olympic table tennis program," stated the ITTF.
The mixed team event made its debut at the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu, China, in December 2023. This innovative format combines men's and women's players into unified teams, showcasing the sport's dedication to gender equality, integration, and teamwork.
"Its Olympic introduction at LA28 is set to engage fans globally, offering an inclusive, dynamic, and strategically complex competition that reflects the sport's worldwide appeal," noted the ITTF.
This will also be the first time since Beijing 2008 that the men's and women's doubles events return to the Olympic table tennis program, having previously been replaced by team events, as reported by Xinhua.
Table tennis was first included in the Olympic Games at Seoul 1988, featuring four events: men's and women's singles, and men's and women's doubles. The total number of Olympic table tennis events remained at four until Rio 2016. The mixed doubles event made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, further promoting gender equality in the sport.
"Now, the sport will showcase six events at the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles—a remarkable increase that underscores the rising prominence of table tennis on the Olympic stage," remarked the ITTF.
ITTF President Petra Sorling commented that the IOC Executive Board's decision "builds on the incredible momentum table tennis is experiencing and is a testament to its growing universal appeal."
"Following the tremendous success of table tennis at Paris 2024, the inclusion of the mixed team event in Los Angeles signifies another historic milestone, fully aligned with our vision for a dynamic, inclusive future for our sport," she added.
