Paralympic champion Bourdonnaye appointed as Paris 2024 Table Tennis Sport Manager

Bourdonnaye is one of the most successful table tennis players ever with three Paralympic golds and three World titles 10 Feb 2022
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Man with right arm impairment hits a return shot in table tennis
Gilles de la Bourdonnaye is a three-time table tennis Paralympic gold medallist
ⒸGaël Marziou | ITTF
By ITTF and IPC

Paralympic table tennis legend Gilles de la Bourdonnaye has been appointed as Table Tennis Sport Manager for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

France's three-time Paralympic and world champion is one of the most decorated table tennis players ever. His experience also includes leading four international Para Table Tennis competitions in Nantes, France, and one of the top clubs in the country.

Bourdonnaye said: “I am delighted and proud to become the table tennis sport manager for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With our Sports Director Jean-Philippe Gatien, former World champion and Olympic medallist, table tennis will be in good hands at the Paris Games.

"I have already started working with the International Table Tennis Federation, and I also had the privilege to meet with President Sörling last year. Many ideas have already come up. I am confident that the Paris 2024 table tennis competitions are going to be incredible.”

As Sport Manager, Bourdonnaye is responsible for the competitions’ planning, organisation, and delivery. He will be the primary point of contact for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), coordinating all technical aspects such as the competition area, the competition schedule, the training site, and the equipment.

Raul Calin, ITTF Secretary General, added: "I have known Gilles for many years. As an athlete, he regularly competed against the players I used to coach, and a friendship quickly bloomed. He is a great professional, and I am delighted by his appointment."

“The ITTF is looking forward to collaborating with Gilles to prepare for the delivery of a world-class competition and an innovative sporting experience.

“There are two years left until the opening of Paris 2024, but our work starts now. We are keen to use the Games’ preparation to engage the French population and further grow table tennis in France and Europe.”

Para Table Tennis has appeared at every single Paralympic Games since Rome 1960. There were 31 medal events contested at Tokyo 2020 across wheelchair, standing and intellectual impairment classes.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place from 28 August to 8 September, with the Para Table Tennis competitions taking place in the South Paris Arena #4, an exhibition and convention centre.