Olympic Table Tennis

Table tennis, or ping pong, as it is also known, has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1988.International Olympic Committee: Table Tennis History At the 2008 Summer Olympics, team and individual medals were awarded to the top male and female competitors, for a total of four sets of medals. Prior to the 2008 games, medals were awarded to the top male and female singles and doubles players.PongWorld: Table Tennis in the 2004 Summer Olympics

China dominated the events, winning all four gold medals, plus two each silver and bronze medals. South Korea followed with two medals and Germany and Singapore each earned one.NBC Olympics: Table Tennis - 2008 Medals Standings By Nation

Since table tennis was incorporated into the Olympics in 1988, China has won 20 of 24 gold medals.Radio86: China's Gold Medal Potential (January 15, 2008)

The winner of the best-of-seven games wins the match and moves on to the next round of the tournament.Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Competition Format

In the first stage, four groups of four teams face each other in a round robin. Winning teams then face off in a best-of-five matches contest. One of the five matches is a doubles match, the other four are singles.Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Competition Format