30 Apr 2021

ITTF Executive Vice-President of Finance, Mrs. Petra Sörling, took another important step up the ladder in the Swedish sporting community when she was recently elected to serve on the Swedish National Olympic Committee (NOC) executive board.

Her candidature received overwhelming support, claiming all of the 42 votes on offer, and sees table tennis represented for the first time on a board often dominated by winter sports.

Mrs. Sörling brings extensive experience from the international world of sports to the Swedish NOC with her many years serving as the Executive Vice President of Finance for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) contributing to her election success.

Attending the Olympic Academy educational programme at Olympia, Greece back in 2002, Mrs. Sörling has championed the spirit of the Games ever since and hails the NOC’s decision as a victory for table tennis.

“All in all, it was a fantastic experience to touch the grounds, the very birthplace of the Olympic movement. I wish that all people involved in sports could get such an educational opportunity. I often think back to those sessions with a great deal of joy

I am very honored and especially happy that our sport – table tennis can play an active part in strengthening the Olympic Values here in Sweden. We both kind of received a vote of confidence, my sport and myself. I really like how the Olympic movement’s values centre around the respect for each individual and the friendship within that so efficiently has the ability to cross borders and touch all nationalities.” Petra Sörling

The appointment of Mrs. Sörling to the Swedish NOC has been applauded by the wider sporting community in Sweden and by the Swedish Table Tennis Association (STTA):

“It is important for Swedish table tennis to be an active player on the scene where decisions are being made, both from a national as well as international perspective. As Petra Sörling now enters the Swedish NOC executive board, it clearly shows that table tennis is a major player in Swedish sports.

At the same time, it also shows that her competence, built from a variety of positions from both the business and sports side, is sought after. Her long and vast experience and sound values makes her a perfect match for the Swedish NOC executive board and she will be a most valuable asset in future work.” Thomas Buza, Secretary General, Swedish Table Tennis Association

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