Two years ago in Alicante Romania’s Ovidiu IONESCU reached the final of the individual European Championships. He has lost to Timo BOLL but the success achieved by IONESCU meant that he became only the second ever Romanian to reach the final of a Men’s Singles event at a European Championships; the one other was Radu NEGULESCU in 1960 in Zagreb. Radu was beaten in the final by the Hungary’s Zoltan BERCZIK.   We hope that he will have the chance to try to go one step further this year in Poland’s Warsaw where the ITTF European individual Championships will take place. However the break in tournaments we used to talk about the past.   IONESCU revealed that his starts were “accidental”.   “I remember that my brother was not allowed by his classmates to play table tennis in the school yard so he asked Santa to bring us two rackets. As soon as we received it we started to play on my father desk all day long. Initially it was funny for my parents but after a while it got a little bit annoying. I had a lot of energy so they brought me to the table tennis club in my hometown ” said IONESCU.   When you realize will become your professional call?   “When I first moved to Germany in my youth I knew I was going to do everything in power to become a professional table tennis player.”   Have you ever felt you had enough and wanted to stop?   “No never. I love this sport too much with all its ups and downs.”   What is the first ever award you remember?   “My first gold medal. I was 10 years old and I had won the top 10 for the first time. I remember I was so happy. My parents were with me and they even bought me a water machine gun as a present.”   Most memorized moments in your career?   “I think both when I won silver at European and World Championships are the happiest moments for me. You want to believe you can make it and when you actually do it you cannot compare it with anything else in the sport.   Place that made greatest impression on you?   “Olympic Games in Rio for the first time. Being surrounded by all the great athletes proved to me that it is always good to chase your dreams.”   Person that impressed you the most?   “For me Roger FEDERER is the best role model inside and outside the court.”   Greatest sadness?   “A more recent one would be in European games in mixed doubles final. The winner would get directly the Olympic ticket. Our opponents Petrissa SOLJA and Patrick FRANZISKA played perfectly and we did not stand a chance.”   Legacy of the sport?   “I hope people in Romania will start to follow more and more table tennis and that table tennis will become a more recognized sport countrywide.”   What is the next goal to achieve?   “As the Olympics postponed for a year the next goal is to get a gold medal at European Championships doesn’t matter the event.”  

Today is Orthodox Easter and little Lara enjoys Romanian traditional sweets made by her mum Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO and happy moments with her parents Daniela and Joao.   Week earlier they shared precious moments of being together during the Catholic Easter.   “We celebrate more the Catholic because we marries in Catholic church and Lara was also baptized there but i prepared some Romanian traditional sweets also for today…” revealed Daniela.   The family is in Portugal in self isolation like most of Europe.   “We are doing well except staying in home for such a long time. Our days at home are full off activity every day we find new things to do. Joao and I we are making physical exercises together cooking together cleaning taking care of our skin playing a lot with our daughter…” explained Daniela. “We have a bicycle at home and we do a lot of specific physical training with program from our coach.”   Joao MONTEIRO was forced to go under surgery recently and Daniela was also injured.   “We are also working our recovery. Joao is coming after knee surgery and I had a serious ankle injury so we are doing online session over the web cam with the physiotherapists.”   There is a lot of free time for the family activities.   “We have a new machine for cooking and we both love to cook and discover new receipt especially now that we eat more vegetarian food. I stopped reading my books since I have Lara but now I read stories for her. We are playing a lot we ordered many games on Internet and we have a lot of games like monopoly puzzles cards Lego..”   There is a lot to catch up.   “We give our daughter full time and attention trying to fill the missing time from home in the last period before the pandemic.”        

ITTF Events Update   In light of the COVID-19 public health crisis and the increased restrictions on international travel the ITTF has taken decisions in this period to suspend events with the health and safety of the athletes coaches officials and fans as the top priority. These decisions made either on a case by case approach or in the form of provisional longer-term suspensions were applied to a number of events originally scheduled between March and June 2020. With the spread of COVID-19 across different parts of the world the ITTF is monitoring closely the overall situation across the globe and is in frequent contact with hosts of ITTF events in an effort to keep the international calendar as updated as possible. The ITTF is looking at a number of different scenarios and possibilities of rescheduling but it is currently still too early to make any decisions until there is greater certainty about when activities can resume. Nevertheless the ITTF is trying to keep its calendar as updated as possible with information that comes to hand. Following recent decisions taken in full cooperation with event hosts the ITTF regrets to inform that despite all efforts the current uncertainty has led to the cancellation of the ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open and the ITTF World Tour Korea Open among other events listed below. The status of a number of ITTF events has changed as follows: To be rescheduled in 2021 Olympic Qualification Events     Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament originally scheduled for 6 – 12 Apr 2020    European Olympic Singles Qualification Tournament 8 – 12 Apr 2020    Latin American Singles and Mixed Qualification Tournament 15 – 19 Apr 2020    Oceania Singles & Mixed Double Qualification Tournament 19 – 20 Apr 2020    World Singles Qualification Tournament 28 – 31 May 2020 Paralympic Qualification Events     Paralympic Qualification Event 9 – 11 May 2020 Postponed  Junior Events     ITTF World Junior Circuit Jordan Junior & Cadet Open 1 – 5 Jul 2020    ITTF World Junior Circuit Golden Hong Kong Junior & Cadet Open 8 – 12 Jul 2020 Cancelled ITTF World Tour     ITTF World Tour Korea Open 16 – 21 Jun 2020    ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open 23 – 28 Jun 2020 Junior Events     ITTF Junior Circuit Premium French Junior & Cadet Open 22 – 26 Apr 2020    ITTF Junior Circuit Premium India Junior & Cadet Open 29 Apr – 3 May 2020    ITTF Junior Circuit Argentina Junior & Cadet Open 17 – 20 Jun 2020    ITTF Junior Circuit North America Junior & Cadet Open 26 – 29 Aug 2020    ITTF Junior Circuit Indonesia Junior & Cadet Open 9 – 12 Sep 2020    ITTF Junior Circuit Ecuador Junior & Cadet Open 27 – 31 Oct 2020    World Cadet Challenge 31 – 8 Nov 2020 PTT Events     ITTF Fa40 Slovakia Para Open 2020 13 – 16 May 2020    ITTF Fa20 Indonesia Para Open 2020 14 – 17 Nov 2020 For events announced earlier as postponed or suspended and not listed above their status remains as indicated on the ITTF Calendar whilst the ITTF is looking for solutions in cooperation with the hosts. The ITTF is in open communication and frequent follow-up with all hosts of the 2020 ITTF events and will provide further updates on the international table tennis calendar as soon as more information comes to hand.

  Eliza SAMARA celebrated her birthday today at her home with family.   “In the morning I practice with robot then phisical part and after I celebrated with a cake! Im happy I am at home ” said SAMARA.   What was your wish?   “My wish is simple: I hope this sad situation will end soon and we will see each other again healthy.”!

Timo BOLL: I am a lucky man   German legend Timo Boll is the man who has been at the top of his game for almost two decades. The 38-year-old three-time Olympic medalist one of the greatest European players proved beyond doubt that he is equal of the Chinese superstars so many times by now.   The time of isolation during the pandemic of COVID 19 he spends in Germany at home in Höchst.   Can you remember the moment when you start to play table tennis and who or what was the reason why you did it?   “I started to play table tennis at age three or four at home with my father. We played nearly every day. I just loved to do sports ” said BOLL.   When you realize it will become your professional call?   “At age 16 when I really became a professional. I was never too optimistic to achieve really big results.”   Timo had not to wait for long before the big success.   “I become Junior sportsman of the year in Germany I think in 1997.”   The medal count after that is impressive. Silver and two bronze medals at the Olympic Games all three at Team’s Events in Beijing London and Rio de Janeiro; eight medals at the World Championships including bronze in singles 2011 in Rotterdam and silver in Doubles Event in Shanghai 2005; gold at the European Games in Minsk in Singles and Team’s and fantastic 27 medals at the European Championships of which 19 are gold.   In such extraordinary career what is the most memorized moment for you?   “Winning the semifinal of the Team’s Event against Japan in the Olympics 2008 which ensured our first Olympic medal ” said BOLL who was Germany’s Olympic flag bearer for Rio 2016.   Germany won 3:2 in the match where Timo BOLL beat Japan’s teen prodigy Jun MIZUTANI. Also rising star at that time Dimitroj OVTCHAROV defeated Yo KAN. Japan overcame Germany in the doubles match and Yo KAN beat Christian SUSS in the fourth match to force a fifth and deciding match. BOLL held his nerve against Seiya KISHIKAWA to win.   Place that made greatest impression on you?   “Palais Omnisport in Paris is a very nice venue.”   Person that impressed you the most?   “Vladimir SAMSONOV I love how he stayed down to earth.”   Biggest regret in career?   “If you look behind you see some decisions always critical but in that moment I always acted with the feeling I do the right thing. So I’m fine with everything.”   Greatest happiness so far?   “ Birth of our daughter.”   Greatest sadness?   “Nothing really special I’m a lucky man but if you just mean table tennis disappointments maybe loss to Jan-Ove in the quarterfinal of Olympics in Athens 2004.”   Earlier this year at the Europe Top-16 Cup in Montreux BOLL clinched the title and he equaled the record that Jan Ove WALDNER set – he won his seventh title at the tournament.   “For me Jan is one of the greatest players of all time. I am successful in Europe but he was bigger globally ” said BOLL after the victory.   Legacy of the sport?   “Jan Ove WALDNER and LIU Guoliang MA Long is on the way.”   What is the next goal to achieve?   “Another medal at the Olympics!”

Bernadet SZOCS is in Romania in family house with her parents in the city of Targu Mures. Despite being in isolation for one month already she is living under moto that “there is no such thing as day without the sport”.   “I make every day exercises to stay fit. In addition in the garage we have one table and I make small things for keep myself in shape.”   She started to play table tennis when she was six and a half years old.   “I went to tournament with my parents to watch the competition where my brother participated. He won his first medal and trophy and he was very happy. I told my parents that I want to start to play too. From the beginning a lot of coaches said that I am talented and I could be a top player if I work seriously and practice hard.”   She followed the advice ever since.   “I never thought to quit because I love this sport. Table tennis is my life and I can’t live without this sport!”   There is a very little trophies Bernadette had not won in Europe.   “First trophy I won as mini cadet and I was successful in each youth category after that. In all youth Events at the European Championships I won gold. I am sorry I never had a chance to play at the Under 21 European Championships. It commenced a year after I had exited that category.”   Speaking about the regrets SZOCS still cannot overcame the defeat in the final of the European Top 16 Cup.   “In 2019 I lost to Petrissa SOLJA of Germany. She beat me in straight games in the final and I could not defend my title won year earlier.”   Luckily there were more highs then lows in her career.   “I am proud of title I won in T2apac because this tournament gave me big confidence. I beat the top Asian players from China Singapore … I am very happy I have Top16 Europe title in my record and that I was the member of the Romania’s team who won European title two times in a row in seniors.”   What is the next step?   “I always have one goal – to win every tournament. However my biggest goal is to reach medal rostrum at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. Before that I want to become European champion in singles as a senior and to reach the medal rostrum at the World Championships in Team’s Event. Of course I hope to qualify for Olympics 2021 in Mixed Doubles with Ovidiu IONESCU.”  

We will have to wait for a while for a tournaments to start. Players and fans are all anxious to see some action soon but now the priority is to stay healthy.   Most of players gives their best to stay fit under the circumstances and they did not give up their trainings during the isolation. Greek Panagiotis GIONIS is in Athens and according to his Insta stories rare moments of freedom outside his house spends on bike.   We took some of his time to make interview.   Can you remember the moment when you start to play table tennis and who or what was the reason why you did it?   “I started in the age of nine totally by luck one small club was next to my house and I just tried it!!”   Before he hit the heights in sport GIONIS obtained the degree in Dentistry.   When you realize table tennis will become your professional call?   “I realized it after Olympic Games in Athens. I was also a dentist but at that moment I felt that this I want to follow and to do in my life!”   Have you ever felt you had enough and wanted to stop?   “I never felt it!”   First ever award you remember?   “First award was champion of Greece in mini cadets. I was 11 years old.”   GIONIS lived the dream that only few athletes could – he was a member of Olympic team in his hometown – Athens in 2004. Asked about greatest memories in his career he put it on top place.   “The most memorized moments are experience of playing at the Olympic Games in Athens the medals in European Championship 2013 the moment we won Bundesliga title with Borussia Dusseldorf…”   Person that impressed you the most?   “Timo BOLL because he has won everything in his career. He is legend and he is very simple person and playing with him in same team it was big school for me even if our style is not the same.”   Biggest regret in the career?   “I would like to become table tennis professional earlier but living in Greece was not easy. I could not rely on sport as my main profession so I preferred to study too.”   Greatest happiness so far?   “The silver medal in teams and third place in singles in European Championship in 2013 in Schwechat.”   At the same place GIONIS won bronze in singles too.   Greatest sadness?   “The match I lost to KISHIKAWA at Olympic Games in London 2012. I had match ball after amazing comeback and i lost easy ball at 10-9!! I could not sleep for three days after that.”   Your legacy to the sport?   “I hope that many people in the feature will follow my style because not so many players are defenders!! It is very exciting for the spectators.   What is the next goal to achieve?   “My next goal is to try to qualify for my 5th Olympic Games.”

The Paris 2024 Organising Committee has advertised more than 50 jobs related to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games including positions as sports managers continuing with its recruitment drive in spite of ongoing uncertainty stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.   Attached to the Sports Directorate the Sport Manager – Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis will be responsible for the planning organisation and delivery of Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis events in conjunction with the International Federation.   Main missions and responsibilities   To be the reference for Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis within Paris 2024 and the point of contact for the International Federation – the ITTF.   Plan organise and supervise the running of Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis events at the competition site during the test events and during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.   To be in charge of coordinating the technical aspects related to the delivery of Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis sports competitions during the Games (competition area competition schedule training site sports equipment etc.) and the implementation of the technical regulations of the International Federation.   Liaison with the other departments of Paris 2024 to ensure the proper delivery of the competition including accreditations ticketing marketing security medical and anti-doping services training and competition sites broadcast volunteers etc.   Manage the budget and providers for the delivery of sports competitions on the Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis site.   Contribute to delivering an innovative world-class spectator (sports presentation) and sporting experience in line with the vision of Paris 2024.

Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic is still very active trying to take the best from current situation.   “I am in Czech right now I left Dusseldorf one month ago. Days are pretty fast for me I try to have similar schedule every day to plan it a bit what I want to do during day. I have much more time for myself for my family. I calm down try to enjoy these moments somehow.   How you keep your shape in special conditions? “I do a lot physical usually two sessions per day really a lot different kind of exercises running footwork shadows etc. I am mostly outside I am trying to be on sun fresh air because this is not common for me. I work on my mental part as well. I am lucky because I have table in family company so I could practice a bit with my parents or just to practice service. And to enjoy our lovely sport.   Have you discover some new routines hobbies…   “I have started with yoga and I am having French lessons because I play in French club.”   What is you recommendation for book tv series movie for home isolation?   “I am not such a big fan of tv series and TV in general but finally I saw last episode of Star Wars. I read more books. Lately I have finished books about motivation and life style from Czech writers.”   Message to your fans   “I wish to everyone to stay healthy and stay strong and enjoy time as much as u could. Hopefully see you soon.”