There are those who prefer the French version and opt for table tennis. Then there are those who use its more popular name, ping-pong. In the end, whichever name you choose, you'll discover the same sport: table tennis, a popular discipline with young and old alike, became an Olympic sport in 1988. But to put an end to the eternal debates, the term " table tennis " is generally used to designate the sport, whereas " ping-pong " is more commonly used to designate the leisure game.
Although the reigning world champions are Chinese, table tennis is thought to have originated in Great Britain in the late 19th century. There are a number of stories on the subject, but the most common tells of notables exchanging champagne bottle corks for balls at the end of a meal, using cigar-cellar lids for rackets. Books were then used to replace the net.
It wasn't until 1890 that the first table tennis game was invented by Englishman David Foster, followed by the famous Jacques Gossima in 1891.
The first World Table Tennis Championship was held in London in 1926. The event brought together the federations of England, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia and Sweden. Hungarian Roland Jacobi became the first table tennis world champion. In the women's category, Maria Mednyanszky won the award.
Since then, table tennis has come a long way, attracting many enthusiasts. With over 40 million licensed players worldwide, table tennis is the most popular sport on the planet!
This summer, during the Paris Olympics, table tennis events will be on view from July 27 to August 10 at theArena Paris Sud.
For two weeks, spectators and viewers of the Paris Olympics will be thrilled by the various events in the discipline: 'singles' (women's/men's), 'team' (women's/men's) and 'doubles' (mixed).
Table tennis at the Paris Olympics will mark the 10th appearance of this sport in the history of the Olympic Games. Table tennis has been part of the Olympic program since 1988. That year, the racket sport made its debut at the Seoul Summer Games.
Until 2004, table tennis was contested in four events: men's singles, men's doubles, women's singles and women's doubles. Since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, doubles events have been replaced by team events. At the Tokyo Games in 2020, a new mixed doubles event will be added, bringing the total number of events to five.
The object of the table tennis game is simple: on a table separated in two by a net, the players, or pongists, must exchange a ball using a small racket.
Singles matches are played in four winning sets, for a maximum of seven. To win a set, an athlete must score eleven points. The winner must have at least a two-point margin to win the match.
Another rule applies to team matches. These are played in four singles matches as well as one doubles match, " all played to the best of five sets " specifies the official website of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For these team matches, the teams are made up of three table tennis players. The game ends when a team wins three matches.
What about the doubles match? Here, two teams of two players play against each other. What's special? Players on the same team must take turns returning the ball. If this rule is broken, the point is lost.
An undisputed sport in China, the Asian country boasts many table tennis champions. The country won 32 of the 37 gold medals up for grabs! Prior to this, Central European athletes from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany dominated the championships.
And in France? This year, all eyes will be on Félix and Alexis Lebrun. The two brothers could well be on the podium this summer. That's all we hope for!
Where to play ping-pong or table tennis outdoors in Paris?
Are you a table tennis fan? Good news, in Paris, many spots are equipped with self-service ping-pong tables. Pack your rackets and balls, and we'll tell you where to find them! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From July 27th, 2024 to August 10th, 2024
Location
Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles
1 Place de la Porte de Versailles
75015 Paris 15
Official website
www.paris2024.org
Where to play ping-pong or table tennis outdoors in Paris?
