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Reuters

Ni Xialian and Zeng Zhiying were once Chinese table tennis teammates but never made it to the Olympics for the land of their birth. Four decades on, they are both at the Paris Games representing other countries.
At 61, Ni is one of the oldest athletes in what is her sixth Olympics, representing Luxembourg where she moved to in the late 1980s after winning two world championship gold medals for China.
“Three years ago, after Tokyo I thought I could retire,” Ni said. “But our federation of the country, they love to have me.
“So I tried to be here, and I made it. The next goal is winning one more game.”
Zeng, 58, retired from professional table tennis nearly three decades ago before moving to Chile, where she took up the sport again during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“In 2022 when I played, I didn’t have any other dreams or ambitions,” Zeng said. “I just wanted to pick up a bat, exercise, and play at our club, getting to know more people.”
Within a few months, Zeng found her muscle memory returning, but she thought Olympics would be “a distant dream” because of her age.
During Zeng’s online research to study rivals, however, a familiar face jumped out among players who are mostly half her age.
While Zeng was living in northern Chile running a furniture trading business, her former teammate had remained active in international competition.
“When I started playing last year, Ni Xialian was already 60 years old,” Zeng added. “If she can play, then I can also improve my physical fitness and play. She’s a role model for me to follow.”
Both attribute their extended careers to the fundamental skills they gained from training at a young age in China, getting their form right under strict guidance during hundreds of hours of tedious repetition.
Rarely has a country dominated a sport the way China dominates table tennis. China have won 32 of the 37 golds and 60 of the 115 total medals since table tennis was introduced to the Summer Olympics in 1988.
Zeng, who goes by the name Tania in Chile, faced 46-year-old Mariana Sahakian of Lebanon in the first round, where she lost 4-1.
Zeng was excited to have her husband and two adult sons cheering for her in Paris and is grateful to her adopted country for the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage.
“In China, even if you had the chance to play, you wouldn’t necessarily make it due to the high overall level of play there,” she said.

For Ni, representing a different country took some getting used to and she turned down the opportunity to compete at the 1996 Games.
“(In the) beginning, I don’t think I wanted to play for another country, it’s not my goal and that’s why I gave up 1996,” she said.
“But when you are living there more years, you have feelings with the people, you understand sports is only sports, it is nothing to do with politics or nationality.
“So that’s why I changed. I want to bring the team to get good results. That is my goal.”
For US paddler Lily Zhang, who was born in California to Chinese parents and could face Zeng in the second round, the duo’s longevity is an inspiration.
“It’s absolutely mind boggling,” the 28-year-old said. “And even though I say I’m on the older side, looking at them, it gives me hope there’s always the possibility that I could go longer.”


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Former Chinese table tennis teammates at Paris Olympics 40 years on with different nations

At 61 years old, Luxembourg’s Chinese-born table tennis player Ni Xialian is one of the oldest competitors at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

Born in China but now representing Chile, Zhiying Zeng is at the Paris Olympics having turned down the chance in 1996. Photo: AP

Table tennis star Zeng Zhiying made her Olympic debut at the age of 57 at the Paris Olympic Games. Photo: AP

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Vivian Kong of Hong Kong clinches the gold medal in the Olympic épée competition. Photo: Reuters

Vivian Kong stands on the podium as Hong Kong’s flag is hoisted during her medal ceremony. Photo: Xinhua

Australia celebrate victory ahead of the US and China in the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. Photo: Xinhua

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Vivian Kong poses with her gold medal after winning the women’s individual epee at the Paris Olympics. Photo: EPA-EFE

Auriane Mallo-Breton (left) and Vivian Kong compete in the final of the women’s epee at the Grand Palais. Photo: Reuters

Vivian Kong (left) celebrates with coach Octavian Zidaru after winning gold in the women’s epee. Photo: AFP

Vivian Kong burst into tears after winning the gold medal. Photo: AFP

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Doo Hoi-kem (left) and Chun Ting in action against Hungary pair Nandor Ecseki and Dora Madarasz in the round of 16. Photo: Reuters

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Siobhan Haughey has been training hard as she looks to get on the podium at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Tom Rushton

Siobhan Haughey is at her second Olympic Games which makes her more accustomed to life in the Village. Photo: Tom Rushton

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Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

China

Table Tennis

Ni Xialian and Zeng Zhiying used to play together but never made it to the Olympics for the land of their birth


Ni Xialian and Zeng Zhiying used to play together but never made it to the Olympics for the land of their birth.


Zhiying Zeng

Luxembourg