The sport's popularity spread rapidly from Britain to Europe and finally Asia, where it was refined into the sport it is today. Modern table tennis at the national and international level is rigorous and demanding, requiring athletes to train hard to develop natural talent. International competition requires the highest degree of physical fitness and mental concentration. Today the average game lasts about 15 minutes as players hit the ball past each other at speeds exceeding 80 mph. In Olympic competition, the best of three sets in preliminary play advance to the finals, where the best of five sets win.
In 1971, while in Japan for the World Championships, the United States was invited to visit the People's Republic of China. The invitation was the first in 23 years and made front page news as "Ping Pong Diplomacy." Such a public event created a greater awareness not only for diplomatic relations between the United States and China but for the sport of table tennis as well. In 1972, then President Nixon reciprocated by inviting a delegation from China to visit eight U.S. cities.
Despite its tremendous popularity, table tennis was not officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee until 1977. It took them 11 years to add it to the Programme, but it had the honor of skipping the demonstration sport status.
In spite of innovations and transitions, table tennis is still, as the Chinese say, "the people's sport." Its popularity hinges on being inexpensive to play, excellent for hand/eye coordination, adaptable to the confines of the average home and possible to play year-round. For those reasons, it can safely be predicted that table tennis will be around for a long, long time.
This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight and Dianna Drayson.
| The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts. |