ITTF President: We are ready for the Olympics

(ATR) International Table Tennis Federation President Thomas Weikert tellsAround the Ringspreparations for Rio 2016 will be relatively easy to complete.

Table Tennis is holding a test event in the Riocentro convention center from Nov. 18-21, and although it is not being held in the same pavilion as the Olympic competition, the event is still productive for organizers.

"I think the main thing is to see the venue as it is in the same complex, to see the new tables from the new sponsor San-Ei, and to see for the first time the green flooring," Weikert said to ATR.

"I think our first impression is it is really good so I think we’ll be ready next year."

Unlike most ITTF events which feature red and blue floors, the flooring in Rio will be green to fit in with the look of the 2016 Games. Fourty-three athletes from four countries are in Rio to contest the test event.

Cazuo Matsumoto, a member of the Brazilian table tennis team, said that he could not forsee any issues with the coloring of the flooring. He described the set-up in Riocentro as "perfect," and thought both the structure and lighting were great for a table tennis event.

"It may be that someone does not like the color or someone has a problem with vision, but for me it is quiet,"Matsumoto told reporters.

Weikert said that the material in the floor has not changed, only the color, so it should not affect athletes. He also commented that the Riocentro convention center was similar to the table tennis venue in London at ExCel.

"My first impression is they are doing a great job technically. So, the Olympics can come, we are ready!"

Gustavo Nascimento, Rio 2016 venue management director, said to ATR that the organizing committee is testing the airflow and air conditioning in the venue, the flow of spectators into Riocentro, and volunteer operations.

"We are more concerned with the most sensitive items which we are testing and it's going well," Nascimento said to ATR.

"We still need proper feedback from the international federation, but we understand that the competition so far is going well."

For the event 700 temporary seats have been erected, with some sessions being ticketed. Commuters found in Rio Central Station had the opportunity to win tickets to the event on Nov. 16.

Nascimento says the seating configuration is a small test for "front of house" operations in the event, and to "give a better dynamic for athletes and the overall aspect" of the competition. For the 2016 Games, 6500 seats will be erected to watch the table tennis competition.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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