I Dig Sports
A Landmark for Table Tennis: Olympic Recognition and a Boost for Womens Sport Development
The ITTF leadership celebrated the sports elevation to six medal events at the Olympic Games during a press conference in Macao, China.
On 9 April 2025, the IOC Executive Board decided to introduce a groundbreaking Mixed Team event for table tennis at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The moment was cast as both a validation of long-term vision and a catalyst for future growth, particularly in terms of women sport development.
ITTF President and IOC Member Petra Sörling, , commented, The table tennis family is very proud to have six medal events. This decision reflects the strength of our sport and its universal appeal. It aligns perfectly with ITTFs vision for an inclusive, innovative future. One where men and women compete together, as equals, in a truly team-driven format. We believe the Mixed Team event will be a powerful catalyst for the development of womens table tennis globally, giving member associations fresh opportunities to invest and innovate.
The announcement marked a defining moment in ITTFs Olympic journey, which began with four medal events at Seoul 1988. With this sixth addition, table tennis is now poised to further its appeal and relevance within the Olympic Movement.
Also speaking in Macao, China was ITTF Deputy President Liu Guoliang, who oversaw the landmark Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu an event widely viewed as a proof of concept.
When we announced the inaugural Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu in August 2023, I believed it would be a meaningful step for our sport, said Liu. But I never imagined that less than two years later, this event would be part of the Olympic programme. It should be said that this is a victory for the world table tennis industry. I want to thank Petra Sörling for all her efforts and contributions in communication with the IOC and beyond.
ITTF Group CEO Steve Dainton praised the achievement and pointed to the broader aspects that has helped the sport stand out. In the last few months our President Petra Sörling and our Secretary General Raul Calin were very focused on obtaining this extra medal and I think table tennis owes both of them a lot, said Dainton. In addition to the innovative Mixed Team format, what I think has helped us is that table tennis is having an incredibly large number of young fans, and especially female fans. This is a unique situation, and I think this has impressed quite many in the Olympic Movement.
With Chengdu preparing to host the third edition of the Mixed Team World Cup from 30 November to 7 December 2025, and the countdown to Los Angeles 2028 officially under way, table tennis finds itself entering a new Olympic chapter built on growth, innovation and inclusivity.
Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender.
Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Catherine Richards.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Siobhán McCarthy, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Ruth Campbell, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Edel McMahon (capt), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Sadhbh McGrath, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Claire Boles, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.
'Awesome' squad competition driving England's title bid
Mitchell opted to only make three changes from his side's hammering of Wales in Cardiff to the comfortable win in Ireland last Saturday, with a large majority of his frontline stars, who were involved in last year's Grand Slam win over France in Bordeaux and WXV1 title triumph, starting.
Nine changes for the game against Scotland offers a perfect opportunity for some big names to play their way into a potential title showdown.
Holly Aitchison - Mitchell's preferred fly-half option last year - starts her first game at 10 this Six Nations and will want to show off the running game that originally gave her the edge on in-form Zoe Harrison.
Aitchison's half-back partner Lucy Packer continues to look lively off the bench and is rewarded with a start as she looks to add to her four try assists - the joint-highest in the tournament - to prove worthy of a spot over Natasha Hunt.
Former England captain Marlie Packer returns at open-side flanker to start her first game since the opening-round win over Italy.
The 35-year-old has lifted the Six Nations trophy over the past two years but was replaced by Zoe Aldcroft in January as skipper.
Packer's involvement for Saracens in the Premiership Women's Rugby final, which was played a week before the opening Six Nations game, was factored into her management. But back-to-back strong performances from Loughborough Lightning's Sadia Kabeya has put pressure on the 2014 World Cup winner.
Maddie Feaunati's switch to number eight has been a huge success this campaign and with World Cup winner Alex Matthews now back up to speed, even a back row bench spot is hugely competitive.
"There are going to be some really difficult decisions to be made, but it is in their hands to play their hearts out," former Wales captain Philippa Tuttiett told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.
"You want some older senior players in your squad, whether England have younger senior heads that can do that, I am not too sure."
Powerful Gloucester-Hartpury centre Jade Shekells was a surprise inclusion for her first Red Roses start on Saturday.
Having only re-joined XVs from sevens at the start of the season, her punch in the carry caught the interest of Mitchell who then capped the 28-year-old against Italy, to add another player to a list of talented centres.
One of those centre options is 117-cap Emily Scarratt, and like Packer she returns to the matchday squad for her first appearance since the opening round.
"We are completely blessed at the minute to have so much strength and depth with so many good youngsters," 2014 World Cup-winner Scarratt told BBC Sport.
"Competition within the team is awesome and really making everyone step up and push on."
The fact a Grand Slam-decider could occur without a fit Packer or Scarratt shows Mitchell's mission to grow "two teams" is reaching its required destination.
Wade previously scored 82 tries in seven seasons with Wasps before joining the Buffalo Bills as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway in 2019.
He scored a 65-yard touchdown on his debut for the Bills during pre-season, but never made a regular-season appearance.
He returned to rugby union in 2022 with a move to Racing, before linking up with Gloucester last summer.
Wigan legend Martin Offiah, who himself left rugby union to join Widnes in 1987, said Wade's signing was big for the sport.
"Wigan's signing of Christian Wade is the biggest coup for the sport of rugby league since Jonathan Davies joined me at Widnes back in the 80s," he said.
Wigan head coach Matty Peet told the club website: "As well as working hard to learn a new sport, we are expecting Christian to bring his own personality to the team in terms of his athleticism, skill and experience."
Newcastle: Obatoyinbo, Hearle, Doherty, Clark, Stevenson, Connon, Stuart; Brocklebank, Blamire, McCallum, Hawkins, de Chaves, Lockwood, Neild, Chick (c)
Replacements: Fletcher, Rewcastle, Palframan, Baker, Leatherbarrow, Pepper, Arnold, Spencer
Northampton: Ramm; Glister, Odendaal, Hutchinson, Seabrook; Charlie Savala, James; West, Wright, Green; Munga, Lockett, Scott-Young, Pearson, Mapu.
Replacements: Walker, Haffar, Millar Mills, Mayanavanua, Augustus, Mitchell, Smith, Witheat
Referee: Luke Pearce
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. Jake Garcia earned his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series pole during qualifying for Friday evenings Blacks Tire 200 at Rockingham Speedway.
Garcia turned a best lap of 22.05 seconds at 153.469 mph as the Truck Series returns to the 94-mile track for the first time since 2012. His first series pole came in his 57th series start.
It was a really big deal. I knew qualifying would be important today, said the ThorSport Ford driver. I am really proud of my guys. I just hold the steering wheel. They did a really good job and brought me a really fast truck. It was a really good start to our weekend, and hopefully, we can keep it going.
Chandler Smith, who won last weeks race at Bristol Motor Speedway, qualified second for Front Row Motorsports and Ford.
Garcias teammate, Ben Rhodes, was third, while Connor Mosack starts fourth in a McAnally-Hilgeman Racing Chevrolet.
Smiths Front Row teammate, Layne Riggs, claimed the fifth position.
Bailey Currey, Kaden Honeycutt, Giovanni Ruggiero, reigning series champion Ty Majeski and Tanner Gray completed the top 10.
Point leader Corey Heim will start 15th.
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia Formula 1 point leader Lando Norris was at the top of the leader board when Yuki Tsunodas crash brought an end to the session Friday evening at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Norris moved his McLaren to the head of the charts with a lap of 1 minute and 28.267 seconds and he remained there until the end of practice as the majority of the field worked on long runs.
Norris teammate, Oscar Piastri, turned the second-best lap of the second session, while four-time world champion Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc was fourth quick for Ferrari, while Carlos Sainz was fifth in a Williams.
Tsunoda claimed sixth, but finished the session in the barrier at the final turn after the Red Bull driver clipped the inside wall, breaking his suspension and sending the car into the barrier.
George Russell clocked in seventh for Mercedes, while Alpines Pierre Gasly, who headed the first practice session, was eighth at the end of the day.
Experienced Kahne Leads Xfinity Field Back To The Rock
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will compete at Rockingham Speedway for the first time since 2004 with the running of Saturdays North Carolina Education Lottery 250.
The Rock is not the same track on which driver-turned-television analyst Jamie McMurray won the last four Xfinity Series events held at the Richmond County speedway. Repaved in late 2022 and remeasured at 0.94 miles, the iconic track is unfamiliar territory to all but one driver in Saturdays field, as far as actual racing is concerned.
Only Kasey Kahne has competitive Xfinity Series experience at the track, with his last series appearance coming in the final race there in 2004. On Saturday, Kahne will make his first Xfinity start at any track since 2017 in the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
Kahne, a sprint car driver and team owner, quickly acclimated to the stock car in his return to pavement during an organizational test in January.
It had been six and a half years, said Kahne, who won a Truck Series race at Rockingham in 2012. It was really nice to be back in a car. I didnt know exactly how it would feel and if I would have to refigure out how to drive in a way.
But truthfully, once I got to Turn 3 coming to the start of practice and the car loaded into the corner, I instantly felt right at home and felt like I had been doing it for a while. From there on, it was a solid practice for the next four or five hours.
Despite the lack of competitive reps, other drivers arent coming to Rockingham with empty notebooks. Sheldon Creed, Brandon Jones and series leader Justin Allgaier participated in a Goodyear tire test last November.
And the organizational test in January gave a broad range of drivers in both the Xfinity and Truck Series a sense of what they will face on Easter weekend.
In Allgaiers case, theres more on the line than the race trophy. The driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet is competing for a record eighth $100,000 bonus in the final Xfinity Dash 4 Cash race of the season.
To win the bonus, Allgaier will have to finish ahead of three other eligible driversteammates Carson Kvapil and Sammy Smith and Joe Gibbs Racings Brandon Jones.
Its really cool to be heading back to Rockingham with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, said Allgaier, who won two of the first three Dash 4 Cash bonuses this season, at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway.
No one really knows what to expect this weekend, but I feel like the test we had here back in January gave (crew chief) Jim (Pohlman) and all the guys on this team a good playbook to start with.
Weve had a lot of momentum on our side here lately, and hopefully that will carry over and well have another great run on Saturday.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. During a press conference Friday at Rockingham Speedway, Venturini Motorsports announced the sale of the team to Nitro Motorsports.
As part of the agreement, Nitro Motorsports will assume full ownership of the team and continue VMS longstanding partnership with Toyota GAZOO Racing beginning October 15.
Team owner Billy Venturini will remain on board as general manager for one year, through the conclusion of the 2026 race season.
Nitro Motorsports, founded by Nick Tucker, competes in a wide variety of racing disciplines including a national Go Karting program, Trans Am Series, Toyota GR Cup North America and the ARCA Menards Series.
Nitro Motorsports foundation has been built on driver development; a pillar of what Venturini Motorsports has been known for and curated. My partner Joe (Tovo) and I understand the responsibility to carry on that legacy and the history that the Venturini family has poured their lifes work into and build on that for many years to come with Toyota GAZOO Racing, said Nick Tucker of Nitro Motorsports.
With the acquisition of Venturini Motorsports, Nitro becomes the most vertically integrated driver development program in the world starting with our premier cadet Go Karting program (Nitro Kart) as the ground floor with progression to cars with Toyota GR Cup, Trans Am and now ARCA.
Billy and I are cut from the same cloth of being born into the sport with a racing family, working up through the ranks at all levels and seeing how to build a driver with an intimate view that very few have. I want to thank Toyota for believing in my vision to carry forward their goals and Billy for the forethought to bring us in to carry forward the torch.
With a family legacy in motorsports dating back to the 1950s, Venturini Motorsports has been a dominant presence in the ARCA Menards Series since 1982. VMS holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured and most successful team in ARCA history, earning 107 all-time series victories.
I want to thank my wife, my parents, my team, Jack Irving, Tyler Gibbs, and Ron Drager. Each of them is what has made this journey so very special, said Billy Venturini. The last 20 years [as owner and general manager] have been very rewarding, but also incredibly demanding. I love what this sport has given to me, but in return I gave it everything I had. So the time has come to be able to prioritize other things ahead of racing. As a racer, nothing comes before the sport. I understood, I believed, and lived by it. But its now time to prepare for my departure.
I knew that the person who was to take this team over when the time came needed to be someone who carried that same passion and intensity that I did. Nick is that guy. Nick seems like the perfect fit to continue this program for the team and for Toyota with the same devotion to drivers development as I have.
The majority of that success came after 2007, when Billy Venturini transitioned the team into the driver development powerhouse its become today.
An official partner of Toyota GAZOO Racing, Venturini Motorsports has played a key role in the development of some of todays top NASCAR Series talent, including Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Alex Bowman, Jesse Love, Corey Heim and Christian Eckes. The team has claimed multiple ARCA Menards Series owner and driver championships with Christian Eckes, Sean Hingorani and Jesse Love.
Billy Venturini and the entire Venturini Motorsports organization have been incredible partners for TRD. Over the years, weve shared countless wins and developed some of the sports brightest talents together. What makes the relationship special is not just the success on the track, but the trust, integrity, and friendship that define how we work together. Billys passion for racing and commitment to driver development truly embody what we value at TRD, said Jack Irving, General Manager, TRD.
Under Billys leadership, the team received the prestigious NASCAR Diversity Award in 2023.
In the late 1980s, Bill Sr. and Cathy Venturini made history by introducing racings first-ever all-female pit crew, paving the way for many of todays female drivers and crew members in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Bill Sr., a two-time ARCA champion (1987, 1991) and 1983 Rookie of the Year, helped lay the foundation for what would become one of the sports most respected organizations.
The Venturini family has built a racing legacy synonymous with the success in the ARCA Menards Series for over 40 years, beginning with Bill and Cathy Venturinis championship in 1987, said Ron Drager, President, ARCA Menards Series.
Over the past 20-plus years, Billy Venturini has taken the business to a new level, winning races and championships, establishing and growing the teams partnership with Toyota and creating and expanding its highly respected driver development initiative. From an ARCA perspective, were proud that Venturini Motorsports chose to make a home here, and we applaud them on their tremendous success.
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. JR Motorsports rookies Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch showed no signs of intimidation Friday afternoon as the duo turned the two fastest practice laps in NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Rockingham Speedway.
Kvapil, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet, turned a lap of 22.899 seconds at 147.779 mph on the .94-mile race track as the series returned to the track for the first time since 2004.
Kvapils teammate Zilisch was a tick slower with a lap of 23.052 seconds.
Sheldon Creed was third quick in a Haas Ford, while Ward Burton was fourth and Jesse Love fifth, both in Chevrolets.
Series champion Justin Allgaier was sixth in another JR Motorsports Chevrolet.
Kasey Kahne, who is making his return to the series in a Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, was 18th on the speed charts.
Forty cars made practice laps. Qualifying will be held on Saturday morning, with the race later in the day.
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