China should run the table (and paddles)

Table Tennis

Last year's Worlds and World Cup champion duo Zhang Jike and Ding Ning will lead the men's and women's table tennis teams as they set out to defend all four titles on offer.

Despite missing several key members, including former women's leader Zhang Yining, who retired in 2008, China still seems invincible in the face of challenges from South Korea, Germany and Singapore.

"The Olympics holds different meanings for different teams. But for us, it only means winning as many gold medals as we can," said Liu Guoliang, head coach of the men's squad.

Still, officials remain alert.

"We are confident in our players. But to win all four gold medals is much more difficult than expected," said team leader Huang Biao.

China has won 20 out of 24 gold medals available since the game was introduced into the Olympic program in 1988. Four years ago in Beijing, it took away all six medals in the men's and women's singles, plus gold in both team events.