Olympic Games | 22 Nov 2015

WEIKERT :We are pleased with the progress in RioCentro

Table Tennis Olympic Test Event Concluded in Rio

The Rio 2016 Olympic Table Tennis test event, the Aquece Rio Eventos-Teste concluded on 21 November 2015, at the RioCentro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The event provided valuable testing opportunities for both the Rio 2016 organizing committee and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to evaluate all aspects of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Table Tennis event which will take place on 6-17 August 2016.

Overall, the ITTF was pleased with what they saw during the invitational event which took place 18-21 November 2015, as explained by the ITTF President Mr Thomas WEIKERT:

"During the past four days, my colleagues and I have gone through all aspects of the Olympic Games event with the Rio 2016 team. We are pleased with the progress and the conditions here in RioCentro and we are confident that we will have an amazing Olympic Games next year. We just need to work with our Rio colleagues to improve the lighting and to install proper air-condition for the Games time."

By request of Rio 2016, the Olympic Games will be using a green sports floor for the first time at the Olympic Games. The ITTF Marketing Director, Mr Steve DAINTON was positive with the new innovation in the sport, which is designed to fit in with the Brazilian national colours: "The new green floor from supplier company, Tinsue looked great on TV and worked well with the table colour from San Ei, as well as the look of the Games, and got positive feedback from the players."

The winner of the men's singles, Paul DRINKHALL (GBR) said: "It was very good for me to come and see the conditions in Rio, which were great, and I can't wait for the Games next year!"

As will be in Rio 2016, there were four gold medals handed out here at the test event. Paul DRINKHALL (GBR) won the men's single title, and local hero GUI Lin took the women's singles gold, while Brazil finished first in both the men's and women's team event.