We were honored to host the 40th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy from July 4th to the 6th.
40 years ago, the world changed for the better. Despite the 20-year long political tension between the U.S. and Communist China following WWII, China cracked open the diplomatic door and the first Americans in two decades were allowed in. What sparked this sudden cooperation and communication between 2 drastically different nations? Ping Pong. The courage of two athletes - one from each country - started the process that led to President Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972.
Now the San Francisco Bay Area has the opportunity to welcome a delegation from China of Table Tennis Olympians and sports officials, including members of the team who played in the original matches in 1971.
We've planned a full schedule for the three days when this delegation is with us - including a press event, a forum on Sport and Diplomacy, a VIP reception and exhibition, a coaches clinic and an exhibition match at Stanford's Maples Pavilion.
We invite all the friends of BASOC to join us in making this visit a celebration of a truly significant historical event.
Thank you.
In the Olympic Spirit,
Anne Warner Cribbs,
1960 Olympian and Chair of BASOC
40th Anniversary Ping Pong Diplomacy July 4-6, 2011 Video Recap
40th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy News Articles
Vice-Minister of Sport and President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association
5 time World Championship as player.
Former Head Coach - Chinese National Table Tennis Team
Team Leader - Lu Yuansheng
2000-2009 Head Coach Chinese Women's National Team
1975 Men's Team World Champion
Zhang Yining
Ranked #1 in the World in both women's singles and women's doubles. She has held the #1 ranking continuously since January 2003 to January 2009. With 4 Olympic gold medals, 9 World Championships, and 4 World Cup wins.
Liu Guozheng
2001 Men's Team World Champion
2001 US Open Men's Singles Champion
Men's Singles Champion - 1999 China Open
Men's Singles Champion - 2000 Swedish Open
Men's Singles Champion - 1999 ITTF Tour Grand Finals
Liang Geliang
1971 Men's Team World Champion
1973 Mixed Doubles World Champion
1975 Men's Team World Champion
1977 Men's Team World Champion
1977 Men's Doubles World Champion
1979 Mixed Doubles World Champion
Zheng Huaiying
1975 Women's Team World Champion
1971-1975 China National Team
Yang Jun: (veteran)
(Information to follow)
Jiaxin Lai
Current Member China Junior Boy's National Team
Zhang Qiang
Current Member China Junior Girl's National Team
40th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy Schedule of Events
40 years ago the world changed, for the better. Communist China cracked open the diplomatic door and the first Americans in two decades were allowed in. Sports created the opportunity - specifically ping pong (table tennis). The courage of two athletes - one from each country - in particular started the process that led to President Nixon's historic visit a year later.
