Table Tennis Events Yet to Start but One Player in Action Nine Days Early!
Courtesy of ITTF

Staged in the Atos Markham Centre in the Canadian city of Toronto, play in the Women’s Team event will commence matters in the table tennis events at the 2015 Pan American Games on the morning of Sunday July 19th; now with the clock ticking down to the start of proceedings, fine tuning skills is the order of the day.

Several days to go but one player has already been in action at the prestigious multi-sport gathering, which in many eyes ranks alongside the Asian Games, as second only to the Olympic Games itself.

The player in question is Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee.

Attending Opening Ceremony
He was present in Toronto for the Opening Ceremony, which was staged on Friday July 10th.

A colorful occasion, with 35,000 strong attendance, the nations were welcomed and the power of sport to inspire was highlighted.

Player
I use the word “player” to describe Thomas Bach as opposed to “dignitary”, “special guest”, “official” or whatever other appellation you may wish to use; of course he fits all those descriptions.

At the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, sitting alongside officials from the International Table Tennis Federation as he watched play unfold, clearly he enjoyed the fare on offer.

A Magnet
However, a visit to the practice hall was equally mandatory on his itinerary; the table tennis table was like a magnet. Jörgen Persson was a most will adversary.

In Toronto it was no different.

Additional to attending the colorful Opening Ceremony, Thomas Bach visited the Athletes Village; the arrangements put in place very much meeting with his approval. One fact in particular, caught his eye.

Attending Opening Ceremony
Just as under one year ago at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games; when a table tennis table was in vision, the President of the International Olympic Committee needed no a second invitation.

Once again, Thomas Bach underlined an important element of his persona, table tennis player!

International Olympic Committee (IOC)
IOC Latest News IOC President meets the athletes on the first day of competition at Pan Am Games – attends opening ceremony.