“Each stage of my Olympic career has a special significance“
Table tennis world star Timo Boll is taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris for the seventh time at the age of 43.
Timo Boll has achieved almost everything in his sporting career: with eight individual titles, he is the record European champion, in 2003 he was the first German to top the world rankings, and he has won two bronze medals at world championships. An exceptional player, he is a star in China, too – the dominant table tennis nation. The Hessian has won two silver medals and two bronze medals with the team at the Olympic Games. A left-hander, Boll will once again be serving as a team player for Germany. After that he will be finishing what has been an unrivalled career.
Mr Boll, what does it mean to you to be taking part in the Olympic Games again at the age of 43?
I’d be lying if I said it was routine. The Olympic Games are very special, they really are unique. The fact that this will be my last international appearance makes it even more so. It was a tough battle to qualify after so many injuries – and of course I’m not getting any younger either, I certainly feel that. It was not easy for the national coach Jörg Roßkopf to pick me and not my colleague and friend Patrick Franziska – who’s virtually my neighbour, too. He would have more than deserved it. But now’s the time to focus: there’s a sense of growing anticipation that leaves no room for doubt or questions. We’ve nearly got to the much-cited tunnel now: the clear goal is to be able to put a medal in the bag to finish off my career. That’s our aspiration, even though we know the competition is very strong, and not just from China.
What makes the Olympic Games special for you?
Getting the uniforms, the opening ceremony, living together in the Olympic village: all this conveys in a really special way that you’re not just acting for yourself, for your team or your association, but that you’re competing for your home country. On the one hand this creates a sense of pressure, but it also releases energy.
Much is said about the fantastic encounters with other top athletes in the Olympic Village. You’ve long been a star yourself. Are you now more of a celebrity that others are looking out for, or are there certain athletes you’d like to meet yourself?
I met basketball player Dirk Nowitzki in the Olympic Village in Beijing and we’ve been close friends ever since. That’s just one very personal example of what makes the Olympic Village so special. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t feel like a star. I’m not a celebrity – I want to enjoy my time. I’ll just wait and see if any new encounters turn up.
How else do you experience the games today compared to the past? What was it like when you were there for the first time?
The idea used to be that “taking part is what it’s all about”: that’s now been completely replaced by “higher, faster, further”. The only thing that counts is success, everything has become much more professional. So to some extent that special feeling has fallen by the wayside. Unfortunately.
What are your most intense memories of previous Games?
Each stage of my Olympic career has a special significance for me and I associate special memories with each one: Sydney was my first Games, Athens was the most historic Games. Beijing was where we won our first medal with the team. Rio was where I was the flag bearer for the German team at the opening ceremony. These are just some of the very emotional moments and memories.
What are your goals for Paris?
As I said: we want a medal. And apart from that, I want to enjoy my time and celebrate with lots of athletes at the end.