10/18/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Table Tennis.
Table tennis players have laser focus, reflexes, and agility. Whether competing in singles or doubles, table tennis players must keep themselves behind the ball, work on their consistency with strategic and powerful shots, and be able to read the spin on the ball to score points against their opponents. A game that is simple to learn and accessible to many, it takes tactic, strategy, and hours upon hours of practice to become an expert. When we protect our table tennis players, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Table Tennis Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Table Tennis has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Table tennis can include frequent travel, and a variety of venues are used for practice and competition. It can be difficult to identify isolated and other high-risk areas at variable and unfamiliar locations.
- Close relationships can develop between athletes and coaches, and competitions result in increased amounts of one-on-one interactions. These relationships can develop while the athlete is still young because of early sport specialization, and boundaries can be blurred.
- Since table tennis is a specialized sport, coaches may have unchecked authority over athletes and can potentially minimize toxic behaviors demonstrated by athletes or the coaches themselves by saying, “This is how we’ve always done things.” Authoritarian coaching and unquestioned authority are linked to a higher risk of abuse.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
10/6/2026
Gresham Man Accused Of Faking His Age To Participate In Youth Sports And Sexually Abusing Children, Faces More Charges
10/1/2026
Ohio State Could Owe Millions More to Prior Strauss Sex-Abuse Plaintiffs
9/30/2026
Burke County high school coach charged with felony sex act with a student
9/30/2026
Longtime Hastings sports figure charged with 13 felonies
Table Tennis Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety and Safeguarding within Table Tennis.
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Risk Factors of Table-Tennis-Related Injuries
Safeguarding
Learn about injuries, when they often occur, and how to mitigate them.
Sports Injury Prevention: Racquet Sports
Physical Safety
Learn about injury prevention in racket sports.
Table Tennis - Fit to Play
Physical Safety
Exercises to incorporate into your routine to prevent injury.
Table Tennis Etiquette & Sportsmanship
Safeguarding
Gain an understanding of proper table tennis etiquette.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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