“Welcome to Beijing!”

“Welcome to Beijing!”

Accompanied by songs and applause, the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash kicked off at Shougang Park in Shijingshan District on the morning of September 29.

Liu Guoliang, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Chairman of the WTT Board, and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), stated in his welcome speech, “Beijing is currently the only ‘Dual-Olympic City’ in the world. The successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics has not only left a wealth of Olympic legacies but also provided the city with extensive experience in organizing major events. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. International friends from all over the world have gathered in Beijing to present a grand table tennis event at Shougang Park together. This event will carry on the tradition and more importantly, make history.”

Steve Dainton, WTT Director and CEO of the ITTF, spoke in Chinese, “On behalf of the global table tennis community, I cheer for the China Smash in Beijing!”

The WTT Smash is the highest-level competition of the WTT events. This edition marks the first time China hosted such a prestigious event and also sees the return of world-class table tennis competition to Beijing after a hiatus of 63 years. The 11-day competition features a total of 241 athletes.

Liu Guoyong, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, attended the opening ceremony, while Sima Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing, announced the opening of the competition.

(Edited based on the reports of Beijing Daily)