Olympic Games | 25 Jul 2024

Germany's Aces are Ready for the Olympics

"We must perform very well to give ourselves the opportunity to win another medal. We will definitely give it our all," says Timo BOLL at the German Table Tennis Association's Media Day. The intense Olympic training camp at the German Table Tennis Center in Düsseldorf has come to an end.

On July 21, the first German table tennis players traveled to Paris by train, where the table tennis competitions begin on July 27.

Timo BOLL

How is your current form and the state of Olympic preparations?

“The form is good, the training intensity is very high. I feel that we, as a team and myself, are on a good path."

How do you see the chances of fulfilling your dream of an Olympic medal one last time?

“We all know how strong the competition is. We must perform very well to give ourselves the opportunity to win another medal. We will definitely give it our all."

Seven Olympic Games is a historic milestone. What does it mean to you emotionally, knowing you are traveling to Paris for your last Olympics, indeed your last international tournament?

“Currently, it helps me to bring diligence to training because I know that things will calm down after the Olympics. But otherwise, I'm in my tunnel and not thinking about it too often. First work, then pleasure!"

Dang QIU

How does it feel to be counted among the medal contenders at your first Olympic Games?

“When you have the honor of competing for Germany, you automatically belong to the world elite, as you have already beaten world-class players internally. It's fantastic to be considered a medal contender in Paris. However, I also know how difficult it will be given the number of incredibly strong competitors. I cannot predict whether my 'lack of experience' at the Olympics will play a role in the end. But I'm happy to be counted among the big names who are medal contenders. I will do everything to be in the final decisions."

In recent times, you have almost always encountered top Chinese players at major tournaments. However, in Paris, China is only represented by two singles players. How do you see your chances?

“Regardless of who my opponents are, I must focus on myself to bring my own strengths and qualities to the table. If I succeed in this, I do not need to fear anyone. But I pay great respect to all opponents, including the Chinese, knowing they are preparing very diligently and are immensely excited about the Olympics, just like me. The Olympics in Paris are a tournament that is incredibly tight and strong, where anything can happen."

How do you see your medal chances with the team and alongside Nina Mittelham in mixed doubles?

“Our team medal chances are very good. We have a very strong squad and have undergone an intense preparation together. Everyone is training very diligently, and I think the form looks good for everyone. Of course, the competition is not sleeping, quite the opposite: the breadth at the top has grown even larger. We need to be in top form to be in medal contention. But we have an incredibly good team that controls its destiny if we play our best table tennis."

“In mixed doubles, our seeding from nine to sixteen is not ideal. Nina and I could face a very strong Asian duo right away, which would not be ideal. But we are top in Europe, as our titles at the European Games and the European Championships in Warsaw have shown. It is more difficult against the Asians, but not impossible. One thing is certain: we need to surpass ourselves if we want to compete for a medal."

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV

You have been playing better and better in recent months and seem to be much closer to your Olympic form. Have you managed to extract the last few percent?

“It has been going better and better in recent months. It was unfortunate that I did not win the matches against CALDERANO and HARIMOTO despite very strong performances. The tournament victory in Nigeria and the wins in the Greek league gave me additional confidence. Based on this good form, I have once again extracted a lot from myself. I feel that I am in absolute top form for the first time since Tokyo. It is the best form I have had since 2021, and I currently believe I can achieve anything."

How do you see your chances in singles and with the team to extend your record as the Olympic medal record holder with six medals so far?

“The top level in table tennis has broadened in all directions. Previously there were three or four top teams, now there are seven or eight. Previously there were seven or eight top singles players, now there are 16 to 20. The level is incredibly tight, but I am definitely one of the candidates. I have the inner belief. As the Olympics approach, my confidence grows through my previous successes. Many other top players – such as Lebrun, Calderano, or Harimoto – have not yet won a medal. So the pressure is more on these players than on me. In both singles and with the team, the goal is to compete for a medal."

Your outstanding Olympic record is also a sign of mental strength. How do you manage to always reach your limit or exceed it at the Olympic Games, as in perhaps the best Olympic match of all time in the Tokyo semi-final against MA Long?

“I try to build up high pressure for myself long before the Olympics. For example, I imagine in tournaments that these are already the Olympic competitions. This way, I feel higher pressure than other players and performing becomes a bit more difficult. But you actually get more and more used to it over time. When I was at the Olympics, I often felt very well prepared for these exceptional situations mentally and in terms of play, so I was always able to handle the pressure well."

Patrick FRANZISKA

In Tokyo, you won silver with the team. However, only three players can compete in Paris, and this time you are the reserve player. How do you see your role?

“As an athlete, you always want to be in the team. That is quite normal. But anyone who knows me and my attitude as well as my personal relationship with our team and coaches knows that I wholeheartedly serve the team. We all get along great. That has always been the case and always will be. These Olympic Games, where I would have loved to play, make no difference. I will support the guys in Paris with all my strength to help us win a medal again."

How is your health and current form after a minor injury in the TTBL final?

“I took a five-day break after the final. It was only a slight strain, which I no longer feel. I am healthy again, training very well, and am very satisfied with my form. I try to stay fit so I am in optimal shape if needed."

Men's Team:

Dang QIU (Borussia Düsseldorf / World Ranking: 11, Olympic Appearances: -)

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell / World Ranking: 14, Olympic Appearances: 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)

Timo BOLL (Borussia Düsseldorf / World Ranking: 24, Olympic Appearances: 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020)

Reserve Player: Patrick FRANZISKA (1. FC Saarbrücken-TT / World Ranking: 9, Olympic Appearances: 2020)

Men's Singles:

Dang QIU

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV

Mixed Doubles:

Dang QIU/Nina MITTELHAM

Germany's 9 Previous Medals in Table Tennis:

Gold: -

Silver: 4

Bronze: 5

1992, Barcelona:

Silver Men's Doubles: Steffen FETZNER/Jörg ROSSKOPF

1996, Atlanta:

Bronze Men's Singles: Jörg ROSSKOPF

2008, Beijing:

Silver Men's Team: Timo BOLL, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Christian SÜSS

2012, London:

Bronze Men's Singles: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV

Bronze Men's Team: Timo BOLL, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Bastian STEGER

2016, Rio de Janeiro:

Silver Women's Team: Ying HAN, Xiaona SHAN, Petrissa SOLJA

Bronze Men's Team: Timo BOLL, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, Bastian STEGER

2020, Tokyo:

Bronze Men's Singles: Dimitrij OVTCHAROV

Silver Men's Team: Timo BOLL, Patrick FRANZISKA, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV