After positive weeks of discussions with the Harris County Sports Authority, USATT and USOPC, the decision was to go ahead. Necessary adjustments will be put in place to cater for the current ongoing worldwide pandemic; thus, ensuring the event will be staged successfully.

“It’s great news to confirm the 2021 event. After the 2020 World Championships event in Busan, Korea, was cancelled, it was very important to find solutions for the 2021 event. Since Houston, USA, was awarded the event the whole table tennis world has been excited to have the event for the first time in the United States of America,” ITTF CEO Mr. Steve Dainton stated.

Another important decision the ITTF Executive Committee took was to confirm the attendance of operational staff required to assist in administering the table tennis competition at the Olympic Games. Meeting the IOC Sports Department suggestion, and, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of officials will be significantly reduced. Furthermore, in line with the IOC request and recommendation, the ITTF Executive Committee confirmed there will be no accompanying guests accredited.

After months of development and negotiations, proposed by the ITTF World Ranking Working Group, the ITTF Executive Committee approved the new ITTF Team and Youth rankings. The regulations, along with the first ranking lists will be published in the coming days.

Also, the ITTF Executive Committee recognized the excellent work of Dr. Shiro Matsuo for his long service to the ITTF Sports Science and Medical Committee as Chief Anti-Doping; all wished him the best of luck in his retirement.

The next online Executive Committee Meeting will be held on 16^th May 2021.