◆ 2024 Paris Olympics ◆
Women’s Table Tennis Team Wins Bronze at the Paris Olympics
Active administrative support from the Table Tennis Association played a significant role.
Chairman Yoo remarked modestly, “The players performed exceptionally.”
“I will return to Korea and begin preparations for the next Olympics.”
Plans to introduce mixed doubles in national competitions
Korea Table Tennis Association President Yoo Seung-min is being interviewed by domestic reporters after the women’s team table tennis event at the Paris Olympics, held at the South Paris Arena in Paris, France on the 10th. Reporter Kim Ji-han
The Korean table tennis team, which secured two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, concluded the competition with both optimism and challenges. Ryu Seung-min, the president of the Korea Table Tennis Association and a former gold medalist in men’s singles at the 2004 Athens Olympics, promptly shifted his focus to the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.
The Korean women’s table tennis team, comprised of Shin Yu-bin, Jeon Ji-hee, and Lee Eun-hye, clinched a bronze medal by defeating Germany with a score of 3-0 in the women’s team bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at the South Paris Arena in Paris, France on the 10th (Korean time). Following Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin’s bronze in mixed doubles, the Korean table tennis team added another medal in the women’s team event, wrapping up the Paris Olympics with two bronze medals in total.
After the women’s team event, Korea Table Tennis Association President Yoo Seung-min praised the bronze medal-winning female players. In a discussion with domestic reporters, President Yoo stated, “Table tennis has an unusually lengthy schedule. The players must have faced many difficulties, but I appreciate their outstanding performance. I also thank the coaches for their excellent leadership and guidance.” Regarding the women’s national team’s performance in the bronze medal match, President Yoo remarked, “The match could have been disappointing or they could have succeeded, but the women’s team played the most perfectly I’ve ever witnessed. It was the result of all three working cohesively. As the association’s president, I express my gratitude to the players.”
news/cms/202408/11/news-p.v1.20240811.c51f7a63fa42426abe122dceb38d0778_R.jpg" data-width="2835" data-height="2374"/> Enlarge the photo Yoo Seung-min, the president of the Korea Table Tennis Association and a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, practices with Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin at South Paris Arena 4, the table tennis venue for the Paris Olympics, on the 25th of last month. Yonhap News
As a chairman with a background as a player, the Table Tennis Association, which has consistently received attention for its management of the national team, also demonstrated its excellent administrative support during the Paris Olympics. When there was controversy regarding the ‘steamy bus’ without air conditioning, the Table Tennis Association organized alternative accommodations just 10 minutes away by car from the South Paris Arena where the games were held. Additionally, Chairman Yoo, a typical ‘penholder’, personally took on the role of practice partner for the Lim Jong-hoon-Shin Yu-bin team as they prepared for mixed doubles prior to the competition, highlighting the ‘hands-on leadership’ of the executives.
Chairman Yoo stated, “I don’t want to boast. I believe the players endured well,” but added, “The association worked hard to make improvements in our way, and I think tending to even the small, often overlooked details had an impact on our strong performance.” Chairman Yoo, describing himself as “a very lucky person,” said, “I believed that last year’s World Championships and Asian Games should transition into this year’s Olympics, and it turned out well. I was there to support them at every moment, and the results reflected that,” as he assessed the national team’s performance.
Meanwhile, Chairman Yoo has already envisioned the future. He remarked, “From this point forward, it is crucial,” and “I realized that upon my return, I should establish various concepts and prepare for the 2028 and 2032 Olympics.” The primary focus will be the expansion of mixed doubles in national competitions. Chairman Yoo stated, “Table tennis is a sport in need of stars. There are only about 1,350 registered players. We need that many stars, but we cannot concentrate on just one player.” He continued, “Shin Yu-bin has emerged, but we need another Shin Yu-bin to come forward. Upon our return, we should implement mixed doubles in all competitions and build the framework from a young age to allow new stars to emerge. We must create innovations like this moving forward.”
Chairman Yoo, who will conclude his term as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission following the Paris Olympics, will wrap up all IOC-related activities by sharing a moment of significance with Korean table tennis. Chairman Yoo stated, “I will host the awards ceremony for the women’s team table tennis event. I advocated for it,” adding, “I abstained from the IOC General Assembly to present the awards. Being an IOC member, it is profoundly meaningful to present bronze medals to Korean female table tennis players at my last event.”
Reporter Kim Ji-han from Paris
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2024 Paris Olympics: Korea’s Women’s Table Tennis Team Wins Bronze Medal
Inspiring Achievement of the Korean Women’s Table Tennis Team
The Korean women’s table tennis team, consisting of elite athletes Shin Yu-bin, Jeon Ji-hee, and Lee Eun-hye, achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a bronze medal in the women’s team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This victory came after a convincing 3-0 win against Germany in the bronze medal match held at the South Paris Arena on the 10th of August.
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Korea Table Tennis Association President Yoo Seung-min speaking to reporters after the women’s team event.
This victory followed the earlier accomplishment by Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin, who also clinched a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event. The success marked a significant achievement for the Korean table tennis team, bringing their total medal tally to two in the current Olympic games.
The Role of Leadership and Support
Ryu Seung-min, the President of the Korea Table Tennis Association and a celebrated former Olympic champion, praised the players for their exceptional performance. He remarked, “The players truly exceeded expectations during the tournament,” and showed gratitude towards the coaches and support staff who guided the team throughout their preparation.
Administrative Support: Key to Success
The administration’s involvement was pivotal in the team’s performance. Yoo Seung-min reflected on how the Table Tennis Association’s efforts helped alleviate issues faced by the team, particularly regarding logistics. Notably, amidst complaints about insufficient accommodations, the association arranged for alternative housing, ensuring that the athletes could focus primarily on their performance.
Highlights from the Women’s Team Event
In an exciting bronze medal match, Korea showcased exemplary teamwork and skill. Here’s a brief summary of the match:
| Match Details | Korea | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 3 | 0 |
| Key Players | Shin Yu-bin, Jeon Ji-hee, Lee Eun-hye | N/A |
| Date | 10th August 2024 | N/A |
| Location | South Paris Arena, Paris, France | N/A |
Looking Ahead: Plans for Future Competitions
With the Paris Olympics concluded, Yoo Seung-min is already focusing on future goals, particularly the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He acknowledged the need to enhance the participation of mixed doubles in national competitions, emphasizing that the sport thrives when new talents emerge.
Developing Future Stars
“Table tennis requires a diverse roster of stars,” Yoo stated. “While Shin Yu-bin has shown tremendous promise, we need to cultivate more talents to keep the sport vibrant in Korea.” He aims to implement changes that will bolster the infrastructure for aspiring athletes, particularly in mixed doubles events.
President Yoo Seung-min’s Legacy with the IOC
As his term as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission comes to a close, Yoo expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Korean table tennis on an international stage. He mentioned, “Hosting the awards ceremony for the women’s team event is a significant moment for me,” underscoring his commitment to fostering a supportive environment for athletes.
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Yoo Seung-min practicing with the national team at the South Paris Arena.
Conclusion
With ongoing efforts to improve training and an emphasis on future talent development, the Korean table tennis community stands poised for continued success in international competitions. Support from organizations and the dedication of athletes will be vital as they set their sights on the upcoming Olympic games.
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