RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Here's a secret about table tennis. The world's most prestigious tournament, the Olympics, is also one of the easiest.
The reason for this paradox, like much about the modern version of the sport, can be linked to a single force: China.
In what's widely seen as an attempt to keep China from complete domination, table tennis officials have allowed each nation at the Olympics only two entries in men's singles and two entries in women's singles.
This levels the playing field, giving other countries a chance for a medal — because of China's perennial strength, it's likely to be bronze this year, as in past Olympics.