Chinese paddlers remain the biggest winners at the Athens Olympic Games, walking away with three out of four gold medals, though other nations and regions mounted a huge challenge to China's once dominant position in the sport with one - South Korea - taking the coveted men's singles title.

But for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), the world's governing body for the sport, the Games was a miserable flop - the stadium was mostly empty, with Asians (especially Chinese) prevailing in the final four events.

And the sport faced a chilly reaction from Greeks, who don't seem to know ping pong from Zeus.

That has led to new changes that ping pong has been shattered by changes implemented by the ITTF over the past four years.

"In any case, all changes were made in order to render table tennis more attractive and more modern," said Adham Sharara, the Canadian who is ITTF's president and who witnessed another Chinese triumph at the Galatsi Olympic Hall.

Lingering Chinese influence in table tennis appears to be a big headache for the president who has been carrying on ping pong diplomacy to make the sport more popular globally.

With China winning almost all the world titles for the past decade and 16 Olympic gold medals - including three in Athens - it has set a standard so high that only a few nations could possibly follow such a record-setting pace.

In Athens, Chinese paddlers proved they are still the world's best, winning women's doubles, women's singles and men's doubles with ease. Zhang Yining/Wang Nan, Zhang, Ma Lin/Chen Qi, respectively, did not drop even a set in the four finals against their different rivals.

The only pain came in the men's singles when an emotional third seed Ryu Seung-min of South Korea spoiled China's third straight gold medal sweep dating back to the 1996 Atlanta Games by outclassing China's Asian champion Wang Hao 4-2 in a 45-minute thrilling final.

But Ryu had to admit the Chinese are still the world's best paddlers after winning South Korea its first table tennis gold medal in 16 years.

"I think Wang is a better paddler than me," Ryu said. "The pressure on me is less than on him and I think that's why I won the match today.

"China is the strongest team and almost unbeatable," he added.

Even the mandatory rule requiring a draw of two doubles pairs from the same National Olympic Committee (NOC) in the same half of the draw could not shrink China's advantage.

Zhang/Wang and Ma/Chen won the doubles final so easily it appeared they were just training.

Several changes including using a bigger ball, 11-point games, and alternating the service between two points have been mandated by ITTF, but the outcome still has remained the same.

"These rules were by no means made against Chinese players. However, all are affected by the changes, especially those who are in top positions," Sharara explained.

"Nevertheless, China is still prevailing. Therefore, it must have gotten used to the changes."

More changes will follow - with the ITTF suggesting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) replacing doubles with a team competition. It is meant to reduce the winning chances for the Chinese, but it is also good news for China whose depth is so overwhelming.

"We have already discussed this with the IOC president and sports managers and we have submitted an official proposal to the IOC regarding changes to be made," the Canadian said.

He said a decision is expected next year.

"We are optimistic that it will be a positive one, provided the number of players and judges does not change."

He denied that any other changes will be made in the next four years before the Beijing Games.

"We have no plans on more changes. We have been focusing on marketing, improving the look of the sport and creating a TV-friendly atmosphere."

Sharara has been telling other nations to make corrective actions instead of simply envying China's victory.

"The Chinese sports commission and Chinese national table tennis association are getting what they deserve, since they are preparing better and harder than any other nation," he said.

"So things are only going to change when other countries do as much preparation, training and infrastructure work as the Chinese do."

(China Daily August 25, 2004)