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OLYMPICTIONARY
Tons of people all over the world play table tennis, which also known in some parts as ping-pong. It is a game between two players (singles) or two pairs (doubles) standing on either side of a table, which has a net across the middle of it. The players hit a lightweight ball over the net with small rackets, trying to land the ball on the other team's court. The ball can bounce only once and then the other team must hit the ball back, or "return" the ball. A team wins a point when the other team cannot hit the ball back.
Rackets are specially made and are coated with rubber. Different glues are used to affect the speed and spin of the ball. Believe it or not, some glues are even banned because they make the ball move too quickly.
Ones to Watch: Keep an eye out for China's team, which has won the past three Olympic games. In particular, watch Kong Linghui and Liu Guoliang, on the men's team, and Wang Nan and Li Ju, on the women's team.
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