Slovenia’s Darko JORGIC shares the time of isolation at home and uncertainty with his family. “Most of the time I play video games and I am spending my time with family. I do some exercises for my body and I run sometimes in nature when no body is around ” said JORGIC. Netflix is unavoidable tool for making time pass faster. “I can recommend the “Breaking Bad”. I read a lot as well but I did not find anything new to occupy my mind. It is difficult when we do not know how long it is going to last and what will be after. Whatever happen it is important that we hold together. ”
Yana NOSKOVA: Put the mask on
Now it is really difficult because many of our practice halls are close so we cannot make normal practice. But I am still lucky that I can go to forest for running and do some physical practices. Also I do some fitness exercises at home with my dog by my side ” said NOSKOVA. There is also some novelties at home: “Two days ago I bought new PlayStation to stay home at the evening and play. Now is much better ” added NOSKOVA.” Also now we have a lot of time for read some books looking movies and serials. Now I am reading a books of Victoria AVERYAD. And I can recommend a tv serial Game of Thrones because I think it is really the best one.” Yana advice and message to the supporters is: “We must be calm at this difficult time for everybody. I hope soon the competitions will start again. And we must be careful so wash your hands before you touch your face and better to put the mask on.”
HABESOHN recommends Stephen Hawking’s ” Brief answers to the big questions
During virus outbreak Austria’s Daniel HABESOHN follows Government guidance and spends time with his family . “Mostly I stay at home because the government asked us to do so. Every day I “play” school with my son because he got a lot of stuff to do for homework. So i am engaged in an education as a teacher now. Then i can finally enjoy time with my family home and we play a lot of games. Just sometimes i leave my flat to go to buy food from the supermarket or some really necessary things like medicaments. Yesterday i was a bit cycling with my family in the nature where nobody was around ” said HABESOHN. It is hard to stay in good shape. “I do some workout at home. By far not so much as i want to do because home is not a motivating training ambient and i get lazy. I do some exercises and even my kids helps me.” It is time to reflect on career moves and to find new hobbies “Indeed I have found a new hobby. I started to invest in stocks. I catches the right time i guess. So i am reading and learning always something about it.” And it is always a time for movies. “I can recommend the movie “Braveheart” or Gladiator”….i could watch them a thousand times. I can also recommend book from Stephen Hawking; ” Brief answers to the big questions”. TV serials i like “Breaking bad” or “Walking dead”. At the end Daniel added: “I hope all fans and players out there are fine and healthy! I wish you all the best and try to focus on positive things…Take care!”
ETTU decided to postpone all its development activities
ETTU decided to postpone all its development activities until 31st May 2020. In particular: – The announced ETTU Eurotalents Development Camp U-13 II. (Croatia) – The planned ETTU Eurotalents Development Camp U-17 I. (Poland) – The planned ETTU Women Coaches Seminar 2020 (Slovakia) As you are all aware ITTF and ETTU have announced to suspend all their table tennis events until 30th April 2020 due to the spread of the COVID-19 corona virus prioritising the health and safety of all players coaches officials and fans. https://www.ittf.com/2020/03/16/emergency-meeting-held-view-covid-19/ https://www.ettu.org/en/n/news/2020/march/ettu-provisionally-suspend-all-international-events-between-16th-march-and-30th-april/ Of course we are closely monitoring the situation and we hope and wish to find dates for these events later in the year if and when the situation gets back to normal. Please kindly follow the regular ITTF and ETTU announcements on the websites. Stay safe all – andrà tutto bene!
Elizabeta SAMARA with familly in Constanta
Elizabeta SAMARA joined her family in Romania during the time of pandemic. “I am at home in Constanta with my family and I am listening carefully the news ” said SAMARA.” To remain fit and in good shape is difficult in these times. Sometimes I am waking up early in the morning and I run at the beach which is near to my home and then I am again in the house. Also I’m doing exercises to keep fit. I am doing my best I can under such circumstances.” Of course TV is unavoidable. “Since I’m closed at home I started to watch Netflix. I just finished ELITE and now I am watching Lucifer.” “I want to say to my fans to stay healthy by staying at home and listening what their governments says. That is the way to overcame this corona pandemic so we can turn back to our normal life.” #stayhome #healthisimportant
GIONIS: We need to stay at home
Greek Panagiotis GIONIS is at home in Athens and his first concern was his parents. “First of all I have not seen my parents after Polish open and I am only in contact sometimes with one friend. I know he is also in quarantine and he take good care!! It is difficult to make many activities and to stay in shape because everything is close. Sometimes I just running in the park next to my home ” explained GIONIS. Like most of people he is forced to spend the time at home. “My home activities are Netflix series and at the moment Narcos Mexico is at the top of the list; not to forget the playstation online! When I meet with my friend we play also backgammon for many hours!” GIONIS continued in more serious tone: “It is very difficult and strange period for everybody in the World! I want to say to my fans that we have to follow the advices and instructions of our Governments to end this corona pandemic as soon as possible! We need to #stayhome#! I wish health to everybody and this bad dream to end soon!”
ITTF update on Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
The ITTF’s efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been praised by IOC President Thomas Bach as he reassured that preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games continue according to plan. Bach mentioned that table tennis had done a lot since the beginning of the crisis and thanked the ITTF for their work. Solidarity has certainly been high up in the ITTF’s agenda as was shown from the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak with messages of support to Wuhan at the German Open in January. Then the Qatar Table Tennis Association hosted the Chinese National Team in February during the worst period of the virus’ spread across China and there have been further actions such as the 600 000 masks which were sent to Wuhan during the most critical period. The ITTF provided assistance with all of these actions. Bach’s praise arrived during a videoconference held on Tuesday 17 March together with IOC key staff and the Presidents and Secretary Generals of the 33 International Federations participating at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games including ITTF President Thomas Weikert and ITTF Secretary General Raul Calin. A key topic for discussion was the qualification pathway to Tokyo 2020 and the disruptions caused by COVID-19. As a follow-up to the conference the ITTF has now called for consultation with the four Continental Federations whose continental qualification events were disrupted namely Asia Europe Latin America and Oceania. Upon completion of these consultations and once it has been determined whether the World Singles Qualification Tournament originally planned for 28-31 May in Doha Qatar can go ahead the ITTF Executive Committee will meet once again on Sunday 29 March. Subsequently a formal proposal will be submitted to the IOC which will ultimately confirm any adjustments required on the qualification pathway. The plan is to complete this process in April. The ITTF remains committed to delivering world-class table tennis events in Tokyo and also ensuring a fair completion of the qualification process despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “The ITTF is fully behind the IOC decisions. Solidarity is the key word and we have to tackle this problem seriously and to seek solutions. We need to work with flexibility and our staff is in contact with the IOC Sports Department led by Kit McConnell to find alternatives.” – ITTF President Thomas Weikert “The ITTF will continue being loyal partners of the IOC during this difficult period and in coordination with the continental federations member associations our tournament organisers and very importantly with the engagement of our athletes through the ITTF Athletes Commission we will keep doing our best to ensure that the qualification process for the Olympic Games is completed in the fairest possible way given the circumstances.” – ITTF Secretary General Raul Calin The ITTF will provide further updates on all upcoming decisions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the international table tennis event schedule.
COMMUNIQUE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) REGARDING THE OLYMPIC GAMES TOKYO 2020
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) continued its consultations with all the stakeholders of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The first took place with the International Olympic Summer Sports Federations. Those with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) the athletes’ representatives the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) other International Federations (IFs) and other stakeholders will follow in the coming days. This communique* sets out the principles established by the IOC Executive Board (EB) together with their implementation in cooperation with all the stakeholders concerned. The IOC will continue to act as a responsible organisation. In this context the IOC asks all its stakeholders within their own remits to do everything to contribute to the containment of the virus. COMMUNIQUE This is an unprecedented situation for the whole world and our thoughts are with all those affected by this crisis. We are in solidarity with the whole of society to do everything to contain the virus. The situation around the COVID-19 virus is also impacting the preparations for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and is changing day by day. The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and with more than four months to go before the Games there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive. The IOC encourages all athletes to continue to prepare for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 as best they can. We will keep supporting the athletes by consulting with them and their respective NOCs and by providing them with the latest information and developments which are accessible for athletes worldwide on the Athlete365 website and via their respective NOCs and IFs. The IOC has confidence that the many measures being taken by many authorities around the world will help contain the situation of the COVID-19 virus. In this context the IOC welcomes the support of the G7 leaders as expressed by Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo who said: “I want to hold the Olympics and Paralympics perfectly as proof that the human race will conquer the new coronavirus and I gained support for that from the G-7 leaders.” We will continue to act in a responsible way and have agreed the following overriding principles about the staging of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: 1. To protect the health of everyone involved and to support the containment of the virus. 2. To safeguard the interests of the athletes and of Olympic sport. The IOC will continue to monitor the situation 24/7. Already in mid-February a task force was set up consisting of the IOC the World Health Organization (WHO) the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee the Japanese authorities and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The purpose of the task force is to ensure coordinated actions by all stakeholders. It has the mission to keep a constant appraisal of the situation to form the basis for the ongoing operational planning and necessary adaptations. The task force also monitors the implementation of the various actions decided. The IOC will continue to follow the guidance of this task force. The IOC’s decision will not be determined by financial interests because thanks to its risk management policies and insurance it will in any case be able to continue its operations and accomplish its mission to organise the Olympic Games. A number of measures have been taken. The format of all the test events in March and April has been altered to allow for the testing of essential Games elements; the lighting of the Olympic torch in Greece and subsequent elements of the Torch Relay in Japan are being adapted; the entire Games preparation supply chain has been analysed; and alternative plans are in place in the event of anticipated disruption. At the same time the topics and issues which were identified by the IOC Coordination Commission for the Games as priorities continue to retain the full attention of Tokyo 2020 the IOC and the Olympic stakeholders. In this respect work is ongoing for the preparation of athletics road events in Sapporo; heat countermeasures continue to be detailed and refined on a sport-by-sport basis; and transport and crowd movement planning remain a key focus of attention. Concerning the next meetings especially the upcoming Coordination Commission visit and various project reviews adjustments have been made to the agenda and participation. While the activities remain planned on the same dates the participation in Tokyo will be reduced while ensuring the Coordination Commission members can attend the most important part of the meeting by teleconference. The same will be done for any subsequent visits until further notice. The day-to-day work between all organisations continues although on a remote basis. Currently all Olympic Movement stakeholders and the athletes face significant challenges around securing the final qualification places for the Games. In some countries athletes are even finding it hard to continue their regular training schedules. The IOC is reassured by the solidarity and flexibility shown by the athletes the IFs and the NOCs that are managing these challenges across a number of sports. To date 57 per cent of the athletes are already qualified for the Games. For the remaining 43 per cent of places the IOC will work with the IFs to make any necessary and practical adaptations to their respective qualification systems for Tokyo 2020 in line with the following principles: 1. All quota places that have already been allocated to date remain allocated to the NOCs and athletes that obtained them. 2. The possibility remains to use existing and scheduled qualification events wherever these still have fair access for all athletes and teams. 3. All necessary adaptations to qualification systems and all allocation of remaining places will be: a) based on on-field results (e.g. IF ranking or historical results); and b) reflect where possible the existing principles of the respective qualification systems (e.g. use of rankings or continental/regional specific event results). Any increase
Emergency meeting held in view of COVID-19
The ITTF Executive Committee holds an emergency meeting to discuss the effects of COVID-19 on the international table tennis event schedule. With the spread of COVID-19 across different parts of the world the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is prioritising the health and safety of all players coaches officials and fans. This has already led to decisions to suspend all ITTF events and activities until the end of April 2020 to postpone the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships and also the ITTF World Tour Platinum Japan Open. In view of the pandemic the ITTF Executive Committee met on Monday 16th March resulting in the following key outcomes: The ITTF Executive Committee reconfirms that all ITTF events and activities are suspended until the end of April 2020. On Sunday 29th March 2020 the ITTF Executive Committee will meet again to evaluate the situation and to consider if the suspension of all ITTF events and activities needs to be extended or not. The ITTF Executive Committee together with Ryu Seungmin Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Hana Bank 2020 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan Korea Republic agrees that given the increasing severity of the crisis worldwide the provisional dates of 21-28 June 2020 may come too soon and therefore further back-up plans will be made to hold the event towards the end of the year in the case it is needed to postpone further. The ITTF will consider potential options regarding the qualifying pathway for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games given that the qualifying events which had been scheduled for April 2020 will no longer take place as planned. Ideas will be discussed with the Continental Federations the ITTF Athletes Commission and finally proposed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a joint decision. Options discussed include adding the Continental Events to the World Singles Qualification Event or another event closer to the Olympic Games or using the World Ranking at a date to be decided. The ITTF is in close contact with the IOC on this matter and similarly the ITTF is in touch with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Athletes Commission in all related to the Paralympic Games pathway. The ITTF will provide further updates on all upcoming decisions in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the international table tennis event schedule.
Hall named after László ORMAI for his 88th birthday
A double celebration was held on Friday at Hungary’s Statisztika. Dr. László ORMAI the president of the legendary team was greeted on his 88th birthday and the inscription on the facade of the hall named after him was also handed over. “It is a great honor even if the person does not work for the honor but because can find happiness in it and in fact table tennis have caused me happiness in my whole life ” said László ORMAI at the inauguration. “From the moment I started it and every minute since 1954 has been a joy even if I may have felt bitterness sometimes after a lost game but fortunately it has rarely been the case for me in the past sixty – or more – years. Feels so good recalling the memory of how many of the children who started here at the age of seven or eight have also retired from here while enjoying many successes under the Hungarian flag. We never wanted the glory for ourselves but for the country.” Even at age of 88 the master coach goes to the sports hall named after him every day he also goes to trainings and competitions while keeping track of the daily events. He hopes to continue doing so for a few more years. The facility which is managed by the National Sports Centers has been renewed from the NSC’s investment – about 300 million forints. The association will spend an additional 120 million on various interior improvements to the hall (the replacement of lighting system renovation of showers and toilets and the renewal of changing and bedrooms). “The exterior renovation phase is over after which we could finally place the plaque with the inscription writing László ORMAI Table Tennis Hall ” said Roland NÁTRÁN president of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association who also informed us about the fact that as part of the renovation the building got an external insulation the doors and windows have been changed and a new energetic system have been set up. “The critical attitude is an important part of the path to success ’ continued the president of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association. “Uncle Laci was constantly watching closely the development of the players the work of the coaches and the work of the association and also the President of the association. For my part I strive to bring this critical approach to the service of results. As part of this we agreed with Laszlo Ormai to focus on the future. A part of this is finding a legal and professional form by setting up a joint professional workshop that maintains the values of Statisztika. The other part is the infrastructure itself where this professional work can be carried out.”
