Former world no. 1 currently placed at no. 9 Timo BOLL flag bearer for Germany at Rio 2016 will play at his sixth Olympic Games in Japan. BOLL was a member of the team that reached the final in 2008 and has a bronze from 2016 and 2012. At the European Games in 2019 he won silver in both singles and teams event.
Injury kept him away from tournaments for a while.
“Before I won the title at the European Championships in Poland I just played the Europe Top 16 which I have won and the German Open. After that I had a long lasting back injury. At the end of the year I just had a highlight with the title of the European Champions League ” explained BOLL. “I’m improving from week to week and my physical shape is again much better.”
You have already prepared so many times and I wonder how the preparations during the pandemic are different compared to your previous preparations?
“I believe it’s was good for me to had a European Championship close before the Olympics. In the past we never had a tournament directly before the Olympic Games which wasn’t really good for me to reach my best shape.”
You have been to five Olympics can you remember your feelings before the first one?
“Yes the moment in Patras in Greece at the Qualification tournament I will never forget. A highlight in every sports career.”
Please can you choose one of your most vivid memories from each of the Olympics you attended? A moment that will always remind you of Sydney Athens Beijing London Rio?
“In Sydney it will be the win against KIM Taek Soo. Athens it was the loss to Jan-Ove WALDNER in the quarterfinal which was maybe the toughest loss in my career. In Beijing it was my first Olympic medal with team a silver. At London it was bronze with the team and at Rio 2016 it was when I was flag bearer and won bronze again
Being flag bearer in 2016 you reached another milestone what was going through your mind when you carried the flag at the stadium?
“I was very proud to be elected from the athletes of the German team and the German public.”
What will be your advice to young players?
“Just enjoy every moment of your sports career it’s ending sooner than you expect. Unfortunately time flies away.”
Looking back on so many Olympics when you had to withstand all kinds of pressure live all that pride joy sacrifice pain what changed the most inside of you? How would you describe the man you are now shaped by the events most of us have never experienced?
“I’m more relaxed overall but still hungry. I think I have a good balance.”
What is the goal for team Germany and what is your goal in the singles?
“I would love to win two medals.”
Is there any other sport beside TT you would like to watch at the Olympics at least on TV?
“I love every sport.”
What come first to your mind when you think about the greatest Olympic achievement of any other athlete?
“Hard to say RYU Seung Min was maybe one of the biggest surprises but well deserved!”
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