ITTF President Petra Sörling visited Gao Zhidan, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) and Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, in Beijing today. Liu Guoliang, ITTF Deputy President, World Table Tennis Board Chairperson and President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), as well as Steve Dainton, ITTF Group CEO, were also present.
Both parties had a cordial exchange on a number of topics, including their positive cooperation in recent years, China’s successful hosting of several international table tennis events and the path for future development. The COC, in particular, has always supported the involvement of Chinese players in ITTF events, with an equal participation rate for male and female athletes. This further highlights that table tennis is a sport that promotes gender equality and inclusivity, demonstrating the bright future of table tennis to all who love the sport.
President Sörling once again expressed her gratitude for the successful hosting of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Chengdu 2022 and thanked the COC for overcoming the many challenges posed by a global pandemic while working hard to coordinate and ensure a smooth event. Following Chengdu 2022, two World Table Tennis events were also successfully held in China, while actively adhering to the concept of sustainable development upheld by ITTF.
During the meeting, President Sörling also provided the COC with an update on ITTF’s preparation for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The COC President Gao Zhidan acknowledged ITTF’s efforts in a number of key areas, including in improving governance and transparency, reinforcing sports integrity and anti-doping, promoting gender equality and diversity, and implementing sustainable development. He also commended World Table Tennis and the ITTF Foundation for their substantial progress in professionalising table tennis events and fostering development through the sport.
Gao Zhidan also commented that China has been regularly awarded the hosting right of multiple key ITTF and World Table Tennis events, a testament to the recognition and trust international sports organisations have in the country. Additionally, he thanked ITTF for the consistent support shown towards CTTA and Liu Guoliang for his work in international sports organisations. He pledged that China will continue to play host to more sports competitions and training camps in the future, further fulfilling its role as a global sports powerhouse.
President Sörling and the ITTF delegation also visited the Table Tennis Hall of the General Administration of Sport Training Bureau on the occasion.