International
Table tennis: When 8 siblings compete in 1 event, Olympics is a family affair
PARIS — For the 32 women's and men's teams in the Paris Olympics table tennis the matches are about representing their country, but for the many siblings amongst them it is also about representing their family and the shared last name they hold dear.
At least eight sibling pairs are among the 96 athletes competing in the table tennis team events, a higher-than-usual percentage in the world of top-level competitive sports.
Some of these athletes come from families with deep-rooted table tennis traditions, while others were inspired by the desire to follow in the footsteps of an older sibling, finding joy in the sport and keeping each other company.
One of the best known sibling duos in the sport, French favourites Alexis and Felix Lebrun, have cheered for each other on and off the courts.
"Table tennis is a family sport. It's always a part of my family," said Felix, who ran to hug his brother after his bronze medal win for France, the first in the sport since 2000.
"I live my dream to be here with my brother," added Felix, who hails from a family where their father was a French champion and their uncle an Olympian.
