Until May 10, 64 men and 64 women are competing in the World Team Table Tennis Championships in London. This is a landmark event marking the centenary of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926, the year the very first World Championships were held in the British capital. ITTF President Petra Sörling shares her vision for the future in the second part of our interview.
Is table tennis on track to be included among the top 8 sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, one of your goals?
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our 227 member federations, I can proudly say that we are more confident and united than ever. With approximately 300 million regular participants, we are already among the top five most popular sports in the world. We are well on track to achieve our goals for LA28. For the very first time, table tennis will have six medal events at the Olympic Games – more than any other racket sport on the program. This expansion includes men's and women's singles, mixed doubles, the Olympic debut of the mixed team, and the highly anticipated return of men's and women's doubles as standalone medal events for the first time since 2004. These six events will showcase the full spectrum of high-level table tennis: individual talent, partnership in doubles, and team cohesion.
The ITTF will soon adopt a new Constitution. What concrete changes will it bring?
Since our founding on December 12, 1926, in London, table tennis has become a global institution. A century-old organization needs modern governance to ensure that every member of our family can benefit from this growth. Following a collaborative process marked by strong involvement from all members and stakeholders, it is now up to our member associations to vote on this new Constitution at our Annual General Meeting in London. This document reflects our role as an international federation with one of the largest memberships in the world. We have designed a framework that strengthens democratic participation, upholds the highest ethical standards, and guarantees transparency. It is about building a professional foundation for our next 100 years.
How would you rate the latest partnership with Tom and Jerry in Macau?
The iconic Galaxy Arena was a spectacular venue to launch this partnership. We saw the arena itself transformed into an immersive universe where reality blended seamlessly with animation. The real magic was seeing the Tom and Jerry mascots in the arena, entertaining the crowd with their playful antics. This "interdimensional" approach allows our broadcasts to highlight the humor and warmth that lie behind the intense speed of the game. We operate in the entertainment industry, and throughout the 2026 season, our events in China will benefit from exclusive branding to reach new audiences. Macau, China, was just the beginning. I am incredibly excited to see how this partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery will evolve and transform the spectator experience.
This type of partnership is unconventional, but it is essential to shaping the future?
These partnerships are unconventional, but they are essential for our future. In the Chinese market, Tom and Jerry are iconic figures for women aged 18 to 40, which perfectly matches a key age group of our fans. In the West, they serve as a gateway to the next generation. By creating content that emphasizes the fun, spirit, and speed of the game, we are forging a connection that extends far beyond the screen. We want to make this sport relevant and exciting, to encourage more young people to pick up a racket and experience the joy of the game for themselves.
