| Table tennis has long been overlooked as a hobby or | | | | · This year the doubles events have been |
| diversion, never as a sport. Even today, in some parts | | | | replaced with teams consisting of 3 players. |
| of the world, table tennis is still regarded as a | | | | The Basic Olympic Game Details |
| basement family activity. With brief origins in England in | | | | · The equipment standards are as follows: the |
| the late 1800s, and then momentum from Asian | | | | ball should be 40cm diameter, the net should be |
| countries, table tennis slowly became a more serious | | | | 15.25cm high, the table should be 9ft long x 5ft wide x |
| and competitive sport-enough so to be entered into | | | | 76cm high, and the court size should be rectangular |
| the World Olympics in 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. | | | | and at least 14m x 7m x 5m. |
| Since then, it has become a worldwide competitor | | | | · In both mens and womens singles |
| sport, enjoyable for both athlete and spectator; but | | | | competitions, there should be no more than 86 players |
| what are the parameters of table tennis at the World | | | | contesting. |
| Olympics? Below, I've discussed the most basic rules | | | | · This year the doubles events have been |
| and standards of Olympics table tennis, to familiarize | | | | replaced with teams consisting of 3 players. |
| you with what you need before the games start up | | | | · The racket used must have a blade that is |
| this or any year. | | | | black on one side and red on the other to show which |
| General Olympic Table Tennis | | | | side is being used during competition-as each side can |
| · In the Olympics table tennis program, there | | | | have different blades used. |
| are four table tennis events: singles and doubles for | | | | · The table tennis ball must always be insight |
| men and women. There are no mixed doubles events | | | | of all players involved. |
| in the Olympics; these can be found in the World | | | | · The free hand of the player should never |
| Championships. | | | | touch the table during competition. |
| · Matches are best of five games. | | | | · Each player is allowed to rest a maximum |
| · In singles, the top 16 players play in the main | | | | period of one minute in between games. |
| draw. The main draw is the elimination event for | | | | · Each player is allowed one time out period |
| singles. The remainder 48 players enter a qualification | | | | per match of a maximum of one minute. |
| event, in which 16 players graduate to play those in the | | | | · Each player is allowed to towel off every six |
| main draw. | | | | points during a match. |
| · The winners receive gold and silver medals, | | | | · An obstruction occurs when a player touches |
| respectively. The losers receive bronze medals. | | | | the ball-with anything-when the ball is above the playing |
| · In doubles, 32 teams are used. | | | | surface and hasn't touched the player's side of the |
| · The rules for Olympic table tennis are strictly | | | | table. |
| administered according to the ITTF rules. | | | | This little article should get you well acquainted with |
| · In both mens and womens singles | | | | what to expect at this year's 2008 Olympics table |
| competitions, there should be no more than 86 players | | | | tennis division. |
| contesting. | | | | |