Team China's Race to Paris 2024 Singles

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   Hi Guys, China Table Tennis Association (CTTA) has just announced their selection criteria for the Paris 2024 Olympic Team. Unlike in Tokyo 2020, when the selection criteria was quite vague and it seemed it was CTTA's discretion who it selected for singles, this time, the selection criteria is quite clear. There is now an added interest in following events and WR points, since this has a direct impact on who plays singles for CNT. Let this thread serve as the source of updates and discussion of this very tight race. Kindly see this Article for the full details: https://english.news.cn/20230515/fc43a7b55fef4855b3eb3080f96a601c/c.html
In summary:
Singles- Top 2 Chinese players in Olympic Points (not to be confused with WR points) by May 7, 2024. Olympic points consists of the total of (1) his/her WR points as of the May 7, 2024 WR list and (2) any bonus points earned by the CNT players in designated competitions from May 8, 2023 to May 7, 2024 according to the Points Table made by CTTA. See this post for a detailed table on the bonus points.
Mixed Doubles- Top-ranked Chinese Mixed Doubles Pair when the May 7, 2024 WR list is released.
Team- If the aforementioned two pathways cannot select three players per gender for the team events, the last spot in the roster will be determined by the CTTA coaching group.
P-card/alternate/reserve- CTTA coaching group's discretion.

Some observations:
		The relevant ranking list is that of May 7, 2024 and not June 18, 2024 as recommended in the Paris 2024 Qualification system. The rationale for this is probably because CTTA would like to put a premium on the players' performance in the upcoming 2023 WTTC from May 20 to May 28, 2023 in determining the Singles spots. Had CTTA gone with the later date of June 18, 2024, the 2023 WTTC WR points would already be expired. Therefore, the relevant events in determining the Singles spots are those from May 8, 2023 to May 7, 2024. The 2023 WTTC will be the first event contributing to this very important Olympic Points period.
		It's safe to assume that the CNT Olympic Singles players will be amongst the 5 singles players chosen for the 2023 WTTC because of the volume of WR and Bonus points offered. In fact, the World Singles Champion is very likely to be one of the two singles players in Paris because of the 2000 WR points + 4000 Bonus Points offered. Unless there are a lot more Grand Smash events around the corner (Only 2024 Singapore Smash is confirmed and the 2023 China Smash is still up in the air), it will be hard to catch up if one performs badly or doesn't participate in 2023 WTTC.
		The pairing of WCQ/SYS will be heavily favored to play Mixed Doubles in Paris because of their participation in the 2023 WTTC. Unless WCQ/SYS disappoint in the 2023 WTTC, and CTTA gives other pairings a shot in the next Grand Smashes (like WCQ/WMY), it will be hard to catch up in WR points. Aside from Grand Smashes and WTTC which offer 2000 WR points in Doubles, the only way to earn doubles points is through WTT SCT (Max 600pts), WTT CT (Max 400pts), and WTT Feeder (Max 125pts). Playing well in one WTTC or one Grand Smash is equivalent to 3-5 smaller events, so the lucky pairs chosen for these big events are likely the only serious contenders in Mixed Doubles for the Olympics.

Edited by apacible - 05/17/2023 at 7:12am