The ceremony, attended by esteemed guests and prominent sports personalities, including Ms. Petra Sörling, ITTF President; Mr. Liu Guoliang, WTT Board Chair, ITTF Deputy President, CTTA President; Mr. Steve Dainton, ITTF Group Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Raul Calin, ITTF Secretary General; Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau; Mr. Ma Long, 2016 & 2020 Olympic Table Tennis Champion; Ms. Chen Meng (2020 Olympic Table Tennis Champion), and Mr. Philip Cheng, Director of Galaxy Entertainment Group, marked the official countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Distinguished guests shared their insights and excitement for the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, reminiscing about their past Olympic experiences.
Mr. Ma Long, a revered figure in Olympic table tennis with five gold medals and the first player to defend the men’s singles title, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games, a lifelong dream for every athlete. He acknowledged the transformative power of the Olympics in fostering personal growth and inspiring athletes to strive for excellence.
Ms. Chen Meng, the reigning champion of the women’s singles and women’s team at the Tokyo Olympics, described winning the Olympic gold medal as the realization of a dream. She expressed her eagerness to relive the magical atmosphere of the Olympic Games, highlighting its unparalleled significance for athletes and their aspirations to deliver exceptional performances on the grand stage.
Ms. Petra Sörling, ITTF President, shared her anticipation for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, emphasizing the vital role of table tennis in the Olympic program. With France’s strong affinity for table tennis, she predicted a remarkable spectator turnout in Paris, ready to cheer on the Olympic champions.
Mr. Liu Guoliang, the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games champion and a respected coach behind numerous Olympic champions, emphasized the Olympic Games as the pinnacle of every athlete’s journey. He acknowledged the intense competition and the emotional moments that make the Olympics an unforgettable experience.
Mr. Steve Dainton, ITTF Group Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the significance of the ITTF and WTT tournaments leading up to Paris 2024. These tournaments serve as crucial opportunities for players to earn world ranking points and secure their qualification for the Olympics. Mr. Dainton expressed his excitement for the qualifying events, predicting an exceptional year for table tennis.
Mr. Raul Calin, ITTF Secretary General, expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing qualification events for the Paris 2024 Table Tennis Program. He assured the audience of the meticulous preparations underway, guaranteeing a remarkable experience at the Paris Olympics.
To commemorate the occasion, Mr. Ma Long, Ms. Chen Meng, and representatives from the ITTF initiated the “100 Days to Paris” countdown, unveiling a symbolic display of “100” composed of ping pong balls, symbolizing the journey ahead filled with excitement and anticipation.
In addition to the ceremony, GEG collaborated with other organizers to present various engaging activities, promoting the harmonious fusion of sports and tourism. These activities included exclusive match viewings for members of social organizations in Macao, captivating “Fans Meeting” sessions at Galaxy Macao East Square, and enticing food and beverage promotions.
GEG also delighted fans with raffle draws featuring coveted prizes such as deluxe hotel accommodations, dining vouchers, and shopping vouchers, inviting global fans to immerse themselves in the multifaceted excitement of the matches.
The highly anticipated 7-day ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup, recognized as one of the world’s premier table tennis events, showcased 96 of the world’s finest table tennis players competing for the Men’s and Women’s Singles Championships. Notably, this event marked the inaugural top international sports event hosted at Galaxy Arena.
Praised universally by ITTF leaders for its world-class facilities and impeccable hosting, the event witnessed an exceptional demand for tickets, underscoring the event’s allure and Macao’s reputation as a preeminent “City of Sports.”
