China's ode to pingpong

Victor, Austin TX — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:39:54 GMT

The name of the sport is Table Tennis. The name ping pong has no place in any article about it.

China's ode to pingpong

Jimmy James — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:05:20 GMT

We had a ping pong table when I was a kid. It sure was fun to play with friends. Chinese really take this sport seriously.

China's ode to pingpong

Pat R, Burlington, WI — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:37:55 GMT

We get an opportunity to see table tennis once every four years, during Olympic years. Will that opportunity pass us by because we have to see more interviews with Michael Phelps' mother or synchronised diving? Synchronised diving, really, is that necessary? I hope NBC is just getting warmed up to cover the Olympics, because to date, the coverage is very, very disappointing. Enough Bob Costas, enough commercials, more event coverage. It appears that NBC covers only those events within walking distance for the cameraman stationed at the pool. No baseball, no softball, no boxing, no tennis, not even a highlight. What about all of the other sports that aren't swimming and gymnastics ? Maybe we'll get that later, between clever Costas quips. NBC needs to look back at the coverage that ABC used to provide and learn some valuable lessons......You can't write an article about the host country's national sport and then not cover it on television. At least have the good sense to replay the opening ceremonies, for those who missed it. Now that was good coverage.

China's ode to pingpong

Steve Dallas, Texas — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:49:24 GMT

I am extremely upset that China has cheated in gymnastics. There gold medal is tarnished. I have lost all respect for their country. Are they cheating at Ping-Pong table tennis too? I bet. If you beat us, beat us fairly China! I think 1 guy on the men's team was underage too. I am dissapointed in China--they are not ready for the big time yet.

China's ode to pingpong

Sharrie Barry, Washington, D.C. — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:15:02 GMT

OK, I have been playing table tennis for over 30 years competitively in the USA and have been anxiously waiting to see this event on television (ignored in previous Olympic coverages). Now I am extremely frustrated and annoyed by NBC coverage. A moment ago on MSNBC (and this article) making light of the sport- calling it Ping Pong- and talking "basement rules" when "demonstrating" the sport in a Manhattan apartment is an embarrassment. PLEASE! show some respect instead of ignorance. The US has no chance to win with our current players on this world stage. Making fun of the sport isn't going to encourage young children to consider take this great game seriously to make a future medalist for the USA. Hopefully, as the week goes on, this will end and TABLE TENNIS will be given the same respect as swimming and gymnastics!

China's ode to pingpong

Hubert Baxter — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:32:45 GMT

@Steve Dallas,

Yea, every medal won by the U.S was through sweat and hard work. Every medal won by the Chinese was through cheating, doping, manipulation etc. How ignorant, bias and childish can you get?

Has anyone questioned Michael Phelps' miraculous performance in the pool? I doubt so. They must have thought that it was his indigenous performance.

I am so disappointed in comments like this. You are obviously not ready for the big changes outside. Lose with dignity and don't cry like a baby...

It is a disgrace to the Americans having a citizen like you.

China's ode to pingpong

Kevin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:10:29 GMT

In China the sport is called ping pong, not table tennis.

You can watch the competitions online at www.nbcolympics.com. I watched part of the womens' doubles in table tennis (live) yesterday. You can watch hundreds of events that are either live or pre-recorded.

China's ode to pingpong

arthur,toronto,canada — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:21:04 GMT

ping pong is a very good sport - you don't need much space, it's not expensive and anyone can learn ... why can't it become more popular in the world?

China's ode to pingpong

Beth Carter, Tucson, AZ — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 17:31:48 GMT

This article is a real "peach." To call it table tennis in the title would have been the story of the "plum" that was never read. Not since watching Forest Gump have I felt so strongly for the SPORT. Thank you for the quality info. and background. My sister was given a ping pong table for X-mas 87 and they play beer pong at the local bar. I am a fan!

China's ode to pingpong

Qin Jintian, Iowa City, IA — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:30:12 GMT

The name of the game in China is 乒乓球 (pīngpāngqiú) not table tennis!