Adham Sharara And Vladimir Samsonov Support Matilda Ekholm

Controversy caused the decision made by the Swedish Olympic Committee some days ago as it didn't confirm Matilda Ekholm for the upcoming Olympic Games. The Swedish player won the right of competing in London after emerging successfully in the World Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Qatar last month but the NOC, National Olympic Committee, of her country didn't confirm her participation because she didn't meet its criteria: to have the chance to reach quarterfinals at the Olympics. 

Just days after ITTF received the rejection to confirm Matilda Ekholm, Adham Sharara wrote an extensive letter to the Swedish Olympic Committee to revert its decision. The ITTF President said to be surprised when he read the letter informing that the NOC didn't confirm the Swedish player to the Olympics and it's more shocking that her participation wasn't confirmed for second time. 

Mr. Sharara also criticised that Ekholm was alllowed to compete at the Qualification Tournament if she was rejected by her world ranking. The ITTF President didn't stop there and added that table tennis has a clear and global qualification system approved by the International Olympic Committee, so the results of such a qualification system should be respected. Besides, he considers: "To impose "additional" arbitrary selection criteria over and above the competitive qualification system seems redundant and a slap in the face of the system developed and approved by both the IF and the IOC."

The major ITTF authority also consider that such criteria as "draconian" and these just discourge young girls from practicing table tennis in Sweden. At the end, Mr. Sharara asked the Swedish Olympic Committe to reconsider its decision. 

Vladimir Samsonov, Chairman of the ITTF Athletes Committee, also decided to send a letter but to the Chairman of the Swedish Athletes Committee. The Belarus player asked the Swedish authority to support Matilda Ekholm in order to revert the unfair decision made by the Swedish Olympic Committee. ITTF and the Swedish Table Tennis Federation haven't informed about receiving an answer from the Swedish Committee.  

click here to read Adham Sharara's and Vladimir Samsonov's whole letters

Photo and info. source: mytischtennis.de - iof1.idrottonline.se/SvenskaBordtennisforbundet