Matilda Ekholm Officially Out Of The Olympics

Unfortunately, Matilda Ekholm won't be able to see her dream come true: competing at the Olympic Games. After the Swedish Olympic Committe (SOC) didn't confirm Matilda for London, the Swedish Table Tennis Federation and the player took legal action in order to revert the decision made by the SOC. However, the Appeal Court rejected the appeal, what means that Matilda has no chances to go to the Olympics.

ITTF also supported the player and even Mr. Adham Sharara, ITTF President, sent a letter to the SOC to try to revert its decision but it seems that his good intention didn't succeed. Vladimir Samsonov, Chairman of the ITT Athletes Committe, wrote to the Chairman of the Swedish Athletes Committee but his letter didn't have the result expected.

Table tennis fans also showed their support for Matilda and created a campaign on Facebook. However, their initiative wasn't appreciated by SOC neither.

ITTF published the updated list of players confirmed to the Olympics and Tetyana Bilenko from Ukraine took Matilda's place. The Ukranian player got the ninth place at the World Olympic Tournament, so she was the first reserve for the singles event.

Photo and info. source: bloggar.aftonbladet.se - mytischtennis.de