ITTF Plans to Replace Doubles with Team in 2008 Olympics

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, January 13, 2002

ITTF Plans to Replace Doubles with Team in 2008 Olympics

The world table tennis governing body ITTF plans to replace the doubles events with the team competitions at the 2008 Olympic Games.

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The world table tennis governing body ITTF plans to replace the doubles events with the team competitions at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Adham Sharara, president of the ITTF, announced the new plan after the ITTF Olympic Commission's meeting during the 2001 Pro Tour Grand Finals Saturday in Tianjin.

"We have discussed this issue with the presidents from other continents' federations. And we all agreed that it is better to have men's and women's team competition than the doubles at the Olympic Games in 2008," Sharara said.

According to the president, they will not change the total numbers of athletes and officials but only the format of the sport.

"In fact, we will include doubles in the team events. The previous singles matches remain the same. We think table tennis will be more exciting in the Beijing Olympic Games," he said.

Sharara said they will submit the proposal to the InternationalOlympic Committee (IOC) next week and revealed that the IOC will most likely approve it.

"In fact, the IOC have encouraged us to make the format change.They welcome the change," he said.

The fate of the team format will be decided during the special meeting of the IOC in Mexico City this November. If it is approved,it will be introduced to the Beijing Olympic Games.

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