Liam Pitchford and Anna Hursey have been named as Team GB’s two table tennis players to compete at the Paris Olympics.
Pitchford, 30, will become the first British player in table tennis to feature at four different Games as he participates 12 years on from his first appearance at London 2012.
Hursey, aged 18, will make her Olympic debut and is set to become the first Welsh player to represent Team GB since table tennis was introduced to the Olympics in 1988.
Both will compete in the singles.
Pitchford, a Chesterfield native, has won six British National titles and two Commonwealth titles.
He was able to compete in Paris after recovering from a shoulder ailment.
It brings some relief. Though things might change, so you never know for sure, I thought I’d done enough to be ranked,” he remarked.
“I’ve been completing my rehabilitation, getting in terrific condition, and getting my shoulder back to 100%.
“I’ve been back on the table a couple of weeks now and feeling good, so I’ll be heading straight to Paris, ready to go.”
Hursey, a Cardiff native, started participating in senior international competitions at the age of ten.
She made history as the youngest competitor in the history of the Commonwealth Games.
Pitchford, who was born in Chesterfield, has two Commonwealth titles and six British National titles.
He was able to compete in Paris following his recovery from an injury to his shoulder.
It provides some comfort. I felt I’d done enough to be rated, though things may change, so you never know for sure,” he said.
“I’ve been getting well, finishing my therapy, and getting my shoulder back to 100%.
“I’ve been back on the table a couple of weeks now and feeling good, so I’ll be heading straight to Paris, ready to go.”
Hursey, a native of Cardiff, began competing in senior international events when he was eleven years old.
Being the youngest contestant in Commonwealth Games history, she created history.