The Chinese national table tennis team arrived in Paris on Monday for the coming 2024 Summer Olympic Games that will begin on July 26 in the French capital.

Eight players, Wang Chuqin, Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Liang Jingkun, Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng, Wang Manyu and Wang Yidi will participate in all five events of the sport in Paris. The competitions will begin in the mixed doubles preliminary round on July 27 and end in the women’s team final on August 10.

The team will enter the Olympic Village on July 22, according to China Media Group (CMG).

Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, told CMG that the team will use their first week in Paris to overcome jet lag.

As a long-time table tennis powerhouse, China won four of the five gold medals of the sport at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Fan, Ma, Sun, Chen and Wang Manyu all came to Paris as the defending champions of the men's and the women's singles and team events.

"I'm both happy and excited to be back on such a stage," Ma told CMG.

"I think I have been growing better and better both physically and mentally," Wang Chuqin said.

"After recent preparation, training and practice, I think I'm ready for the Olympic Games," Fan said.

"I'm feel both excited and proud to be in this national team jersey," Sun told CMG.

"This is my second Olympic Games and I'm excited about it," Chen said.