HistoryData
sports2012

Table tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics — table tennis events at the Olympics

January 1, 2012

China defended all four gold medals in table tennis at the 2012 London Olympics, continuing its dominance in the sport across men's and women's singles and team events.

Quick Facts

Year
2012
Category
sports

Key Facts

Dates
28 July – 8 August 2012
Venue
ExCeL London
Total athletes
174 athletes
Male athletes
86 athletes
Female athletes
88 athletes
Events contested
4 events

By the Numbers

28
Dates
174athletes
Total athletes
86athletes
Male athletes
88athletes
Female athletes

Location

Map of London, United KingdomMap of London, United KingdomLondon, United Kingdom

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since the 1988 Seoul Games. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, doubles events were replaced by team events, setting the format for subsequent Games. China had won all four gold medals in 2008, entering London as defending champion across every discipline.

Event

Table tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics was held at ExCeL London from 28 July to 8 August 2012. A total of 174 athletes — 86 men and 88 women — competed across four events: men's singles, women's singles, men's team, and women's team, the latter two being held for only the second time in Olympic history.

Consequence

China successfully defended all four gold medals, reaffirming its global dominance in the sport. The team format, introduced in 2008, was further established as the standard Olympic structure, replacing the doubles competition permanently and shaping how national squads prepare for Olympic table tennis competition.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 201220122009201020112013201420152012 Summer Olympics — Games of the XXX Olympiad, in London, United KingdomUEFA Euro 2012 — 14th European association football championship2012 Summer Paralympics — 2012 edition of the Summer ParalympicsJanuary 2012 — month of 20122012 Formula One World Championship — 63rd season of Formula One motor racingAthletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics — athletics events at the OlympicsFootball at the 2012 Summer Olympics — 2012 edition of the association football torunaments during the Olympic Summer Games2012 Africa Cup of Nations — football tournamenttable-tennis-at-the-2012-summer-olympics-table-tennis-even-2012