Table tennis, originally called ping pong, gossima or whiff-whaff, began as a social diversion in England in the late 1800s and became popular as a sport during the 1920s. The first world championships were held in 1926. It was added to the Olympics in Seoul in 1988 and has become one of the most popular sports in the world with 187 national federations affiliated to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Men's and women's singles; men's and women's team competitions. Team competitions replace the doubles and involve three players playing four singles and one doubles match.
Men's and women's singles; men's and women's team competitions. Team competitions replace the doubles and involve three players playing four singles and one doubles match.
A total of 172 athletes will take part. There will be 16 doubles pairings for each gender.
Men Singles: Ryu Seung-min (South Korea) Doubles: Chen Qi/Ma Lin (China) Women Singles: Zhang Yining (China) Doubles: Wang Nan/Zhang Yining (China)
Aug. 17 ? women's team Aug. 18 ? men's team Aug. 22 ? women's singles Aug. 23 ? men's singles
Peking University gymnasium *Reuters
