Australia’s top female table tennis player, Jian Fang Lay, has made history even before the Olympics have begun.
At 43, she has become just the second Australian woman to be named in five Olympic teams after volleyballer Natalie Cook. Mary Hanna, who is competing in the equestrian events.
The Bundoora resident first represented Australia at the Olympics in 2000 after moving to Australia from China in 1994.
Australian national coach Jens Lang said it was a massive achievement for Fang Lay to make it to her fifth straight games.
Lay also competed at the last four Commonwealth Games, where she won seven medals.
“We’re extremely proud of her,” Lang said.
“It’s a special moment for a sport which doesn’t get a lot of exposure.”
He said Lay’s her experience would be vital at the Olympics.
“The other five [table tennis players] are debutants,” he said.
“I’m encouraging them to seek her out to help with any questions they have. There are a lot of things that can distract you and she’s experienced that before.”
Fang Lay represents Australia’s best chance in the women’s competition but Lang said they didn’t have big expectations.
“She’s still our number one player on a national level and has been for more than a decade,” he said.
“That’s an achievement in itself.
“She is set to be ranked 51st and the target is for her to win in the first round. Anything else is a bonus.”
Lang is also realistic about the team’s event.
“[The women’s team] is seeded in the bottom four countries and we’ll play one of the top four countries,” he said.
“If we can win that first round we’ll be celebrating.”
