ITTF Deputy President Neil Harwood and the ITTF's Olympic expert Raul Calin met with Rio 2016 Head of Sport Competitions Rodrigo Garcia and Sports Management Coordinator Renata Simoes on their tour of the venue, along with other members of Rio 2016 staff.

Following the tour, Harwood said: "I am extremely impressed by the efficiency and enthusiasm showed by the Rio 2016 staff, they have really learnt a lot from being observers at London 2012.

"They have the mentality that the athletes are the most important people of the Games, as without them, there would be no Olympic games."

"This is the attitude of the ITTF, so it was very refreshing to hear.

Table tennis took place at the ExCel in London over the course of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

The venue itself also impressed the visiting contingent from the ITTF, who have set their sights on making Rio 2016 "the best Olympic table tennis event in history".

"The table tennis hall in Riocentro will be very similar to the ExCel at London 2012, as it is a very big, and open convention centre which hall 3, dedicated for table tennis, may hold up to 6,500 people, creating an electric atmosphere," said Harwood.

"We are very happy with the location of the centre as it is within walking distance from the Olympic Village, so the Olympic sprit will be very strong.

"The ITTF's philosophy is that we want to make each Olympic Games table tennis event better than the last and with Brazilians love and passion for sport, we are very confident that this will be the case."

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