Germany's Dang Qiu and Nina Mittelham earn Paris 2024 ticket and take European Games mixed doubles table tennis gold

Dang Qiu and Nina Mittelham are headed to Paris.

The German mixed doubles table tennis duo secured their berth to next summer's Paris 2024 Olympic Games after winning gold Monday (26 June) at the European Games in Krakow, Poland.

"Right now, it feels absolutely amazing," Qiu told Olympics.com afterward. "I think there are not so many words to describe this feeling. We are very proud of our achievement and there was just one ticket. It's very, very difficult to get it, and we actually did and we know how tough it is."

They made quick work of Hungary's Nandor Istvan Ecseki and Tokyo Olympian Dora Csilla Madarasz, dismissing them in just 27 minutes in the gold medal match. The final score was 11-9, 11-6, 13-11.

Qui is the 2022 European champion in singles, while Mittelham, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, is a previous European Games gold medallist, having helped her Germany women's team to table tennis gold four years ago in Minsk, Belarus, at the 2019 edition.

"Last time, I was fourth, so I was there. I got the feeling," said Mittelham, who was fourth with her German team at Tokyo 2020. "I also saw that I want more. So, I'm really, really happy that we managed to to win the title now and to get the ticket. I think we are both like just unbelievably happy and we are looking forward to really go to Paris and participate."

IOC members Mrs. Gunilla Lindberg presented Qiu and Mittelham with their 'ticket' to the Paris Games.

"It was really special," said Lindberg. "They were so happy and I'm really proud."