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Aussie Table Tennis athletes captivated by ‘very special’ French Olympic spirit display

 

Aussie Table Tennis athletes captivated by ‘very special’ French Olympic spirit display

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AOC
Table Tennis Team Torch Relay

The Australian Olympic Table Tennis Team had the red carpet rolled out for them by the people of Pontoise, north of Paris, who celebrated the arrival of the Olympic flame to their ancient, riverside city.

The sight of Australian Table Tennis coach Ricardo Oliveira and the squad dressed in their distinctive gold shirts sporting the Aussie coat of arms and Olympic rings triggered a flurry of requests for selfies. Joyous cries of ‘bonne chance’ and ‘good luck, Australie’ came from eager locals who were thrilled to have the athletes among them.

Nineteen-year-old Hwan Bae, who is making his Olympic debut, said the warmth, and generous show of support from many of the city’s residents is a memory he’ll long cherish.

“It was very special,” he said of the team’s invitation to attend the event by the city’s Mayor, Stephanie Von Euw.

“This has been a great experience, watching the torch, but the welcome we received was incredible.

“I couldn’t even count the number of photos we had taken with different people… 500, maybe more…  but it was nice to be able to be a part of what was obviously a big day for their city, and for us too.”

Oliveira said mixing with the locals and witnessing the excitement of the Olympic spirit, one which unifies the world, was a tremendous boost ahead of the tournament which starts on Saturday 27 July at the Porte de la Chappelle Arena.

“This is the kind of environment, the kind of initiative, that makes you realise you are part of something way bigger than a single competition,” he said. “You absorb the excitement, and the environment of the people, the city, and the sporting community here.

“Coming here has made the Olympics real for everyone in the Team, but it has also made them even more aware of the magnitude of the event.”

Michelle Bromley, Melissa Tapper, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Min Hyung Gee and a trio of 19-year-olds in Finn Luu, Nicholas Lum and Hwan Bae form Australia’s Table Tennis squad for Paris.

Daniel Lane

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