You've probably never been to a camp like this -- hundreds of balls flying everywhere. Table tennis, or ping pong as it's called in China, is a big hit.
"Ping pong can help my body and I like to play very much."
"These kids have a lot to be cheering about with the Olympics in Beijing. They'll be watching some of their favorite athletes compete. One of the sports they'll be watching most closely: table tennis."
They practice several times each week to perfect their skills. They know what it takes to be like their favorite athletes.
"I should start with the basics and practice hard. This will make me a good player in the future."
Their coach drills them hundreds of balls in a row. The kids nail almost every single one. I tried to play with a few of the kids?but they were much better than I am. Still, the coach says table tennis is so popular in China, it's hard to be one of the country's best players.
It's difficult for them, because their main work is to study. This class is just for their interests and for Olympic athletes, they always practice at an early age, maybe at four or five years old. So these kids maybe will not have a chance to participate in the Games.
Regardless, the kids love the sport. They keep training to get better. There's a table tennis competition almost everyday during the Olympics. When they're not watching, they'll be practicing. And if China wins another gold in table tennis, they'll be encouraged to practice even harder.
(China.org.cn August 15, 2008)
