Paris 2024 Paralympics | Programme, favourites... Everything you need to know about the Para table tennis

From 29 August to 7 September, the Para table tennis events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be held at the South Paris Arena. At the Paris facilities, the athletes in this discipline will have to give their all to win precious medals.

Where?

The 31 medal events will take place in Hall 4 of the South Paris Arena. During the Olympic Games, this hall hosted table tennis, with France winning two bronze medals in the men's singles competition (Félix Lebrun) and the men's team competition (Alexis Lebrun, Félix Lebrun, Simon Gauzy).

The athletes will have to contend with matches played to the best of 5 sets (11 points, with two decarters, to win one).

When?

An impressive total of 10 days are set aside for the Para table tennis competitions at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The competitions will run from Thursday 29 August to Saturday 7 September, with 31 medal events.

What are the classification rules?

Para table tennis is played by athletes with a wide range of backgrounds, and in Paralympic competitions there are eleven categories of physical and intellectual disability. In total, there are 11 different classifications:

• Classes 1 to 5: all players use wheelchairs; the lower the number, the greater the impact of the disability on the game; in classes 1 and 2, the disability also affects the upper limbs.
• Classes 6 to 10: players in a standing position; the lower the number, the greater the impact of the disability on racket handling and movement; in classes 6, 7 and 8, the disability necessarily affects at least one lower limb; in classes 9 and 10, the disabilities are less severe and sometimes less visible.
• Class 11: for players with intellectual disabilities

For doubles (MD4, MD8, MD14, MD18, FD5, FD10, FD14, FD20, XD7, XD17), the number indicates the sum of the handicaps of each player, which must not be exceeded. For example, MD4 can combine two class 1 players, two class 2 players, one class 1 and one class 2 player or one class 1 and one class 3 player.

What adaptations are required?

When serving for players in wheelchairs: backspin is forbidden (the ball returns towards the net), as is the use of the short sides of the table.
sides of the table. In doubles, as in tennis doubles, wheelchair players are not obliged to take turns playing the ball. They are also allowed to adapt their grip on the racket. Players with gripping difficulties can use an orthosis to fix the racket to their hand or use a strap if they cannot hold the handle on their own.

For some standing players, the use of a cane or crutch may be permitted under the rules, particularly in classes 6 to 8. In all categories where the handicap has an impact on movement, particularly for players in wheelchairs, the athletes stay very close to the table and so the ball is caught early. This is a difficult technique to master, requiring speed, reflexes and excellent anticipation.

There is a technical stroke specific to Para table tennis. Players in classes 1 and 2 sometimes use an unstoppable weapon: the retro candle. The player raises the ball very high, which falls just behind the net and returns to his court without the opponent having been able to touch it. Difficult to execute, but decisive!

Who will it be?

One of the big favourites in the Para table tennis events at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games is local man Fabien Lamirault, who seems unstoppable in his bid for a medal in Class 2. A four-time Paralympic gold medallist in 2016 and 2020, he will be hoping to repeat the feat on home soil this year. The 21-strong French delegation is also very ambitious, with Léa Ferney (Class 11), Matéo Bohéas (Class 10), Thomas Bouvais (Class 8), Maxime Thomas (Class 4), Lucas Créange (Class 11), Clément Berthier (Class 8) and Thu Kamkasomphou (Class 8), who will be competing in his sixth Paralympic Games.

Other Para table tennis players should shine at the South Paris Arena, starting with Kelly van Zon (Class 7), three-time reigning Paralympic champion, Feng Panfeng (Class 3), Borislava Peric-Rankovic (Class 4), **Maryna Lvtovchenko (**Class 6), Aida Dahlen (Class 8), Wanchai Chaiwut (Class 4), Valentin Baus (Class 5) and Lorens Devos (Class 9).

How can you attend?

Tickets are available from the official Paris 2024 ticket office. For the return match after the Olympic Games, take advantage of the opportunity and treat yourself to a second dose of happiness and thrills!