GANNETT NEWS SERVICE MULTIMEDIA                                                                    Olympics home | E-mail feedback

August 13, 2004 1:54 pm

U.S. seeks table-tennis breakthrough

By Maribel Villalva

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece -- In the world of table tennis, China is an unmatchable force, having claimed 26 medals since the sport was incorporated into the Olympics at the 1988 Seoul Games.

While the Chinese are again expected to dominate in Athens, U.S. officials believe the American team is strong enough to contend for its first medal in the sport.

The table tennis competition kicks off Saturday with both the women's and men's singles competition and the women's doubles competition. Men's doubles begins Sunday. It runs through Aug. 23.

This year's American team includes three athletes who have won table tennis medal winners for other countries. Jun Gao, considered the best hope for a U.S. medal, won a silver in women's doubles for China at Barcelona in 1992. She has since become a U.S. citizen and is ranked 12th in the world. Because of her ranking, she automatically advances to the third round of competition, which puts her in a prime position for a medal.

Two other U.S. transplants medaled in 1988 while representing Yugoslavia. Jasna Reed, won a bronze medal in women's doubles, and Ilija Lupulesku won a silver medal in men's doubles.

``This is the strongest table tennis team we've ever sent to the Olympics,'' said Tommy Perkins, table tennis press officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee. ``If we can get a medal in Athens, it will be a milestone for the sport. Maybe that is what will lift the sport in the United States. Since sports are so market-driven, maybe it will bring in some sponsors.''Ball speeds that can exceed 100 mph in a men's match and 80 mph for the women. A typical match might result in a player running the equivalent of a mile and a half.

Dan Seemiller, the men's coach, said many people don't realize the complexity of the sport.

``It's a very physical sport, and a lot of people don't think of it as physical. They think that it's just a game,'' Seemiller said.

Seemiller agreed the sport needs more exposure in the United States.

``If our players can do well in the Olympics, it will mean we can get more matches televised.''

Of the seven Americans competing in Athens, two are still in their teens: 17-year-old Whitney Ping (women's doubles) and 19-year-old Mark Hajinksi (men's doubles). This is the first Olympics for both, who are the only two American-born athletes on the team. Ping is from Beaverton, Ore., and Hajinksi is from Mishawaka, Ind.

The younger players will bring a different audience to the sport, Perkins says, but any player with Olympic dreams needs to start at a very young age, like players do in other countries.

``In places like China, Germany and Sweden, the players are groomed at a very young age. It's similar to the way we look at football,'' Perkins said.

Ping and Hajinski already have traveled the world to train.

Seemiller has coached Hajinksi since he was 10, and seeing his protege arrive at the Olympics is already a dream come true.

``This is definitely a career highlight,'' he said.

Seemiller said final preparations are going well.

``They're certainly anxious, but they look great so far,'' he said. ``They're ready.''

ADVERTISEMENT