The Summer Olympic Gameshave proudly presented the popular event of Table Tennis since 1988. Men andwomen from all over the world participate in both singles and doublescompetitions.  

Table tennis has moreparticipants than any other competitive sport. At least 40 million people play competitivelywhile countless millions play on a recreational level. This makes it one of themost popular sports in the entire world. It is known by several different namesincluding "Ping Pong,"  "Whiff Waff," and"Flim Flam"…each resembling the sound of the small hollow ball being paddledback and forth as it bounces off the table at amazing speeds.

In the early 20thcentury, table tennis was thought by the former Soviet Union to be toodangerous. Some players were putting speed glue on the paddle which addselasticity to the surface making the ball spin and fly off the paddles at rapidrates. The event was banned because Soviet officials feared athletes wouldincur eye injuries if hit by the lightning-fast balls. Eventually the ruleswere changed to encourage a "slowing down" of the game

This fast and sometimesdangerous sport began as a gentle game played by Victorians in the 1880s. Tabletennis replaced lawn tennis as a low-key, after dinner game. The affluentparticipants used the only equipment they could find…everyday household items.The ball was a rounded champagne cork, the net was made from a line of neatlystacked books, and the paddle was originally the lid from an old cigar box. Thissimple equipment led to extravagant fun for all members of the family.

The formation of theInternational Table Tennis Federation was held in Berlin and London in 1926.This led to the first World Championships that same year. But the Olympic debutof Table Tennis would have to wait until the Summer Games of 1988 in Seoul.