Editor's Note: As 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, it also sees the third time that Paris, France, hosts the Olympic Games following its successful staging in 1900 and 1924. Against this backdrop, GDToday launched special coverage "GD Fusion @ParisOlympics". It aims to capture the profound cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between China and France within the context of the Olympic Games, with a special focus on Guangdong enterprises in France and vice versa.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics around the corner, not only are the world's elite athletes preparing for the ultimate competition, but also the Guangzhou-based sports goods company Double Fish is gearing up to make its mark on the international stage. The company is the exclusive supplier of over 30,000 table tennis balls, branded as PAR40+, specially designed for the Paris Olympics.
To uncover the secrets behind this technology, a GDToday reporter explored the Double Fish Sports Innovation Center in Yuexiu District of Guangzhou, where the magic of these ping pong balls was unveiled.
An endeavor starting three years ago
"In fact, our Olympic project team was established as early as three years ago, specifically dedicated to the research and development of Olympic products, preparing thoroughly for the past three years," Yang Xuefeng, Brand Operations Manager at Guangzhou Double Fish Sports Goods Group Co., Ltd., told GDToday.
"The PAR40+ ball surpasses international standards," said Yang. "For instance, its tolerance for hardness is significantly better than the standard 0.15mm, achieving an impressive 0.03mm. This ensures that our balls meet the highest global benchmarks."
This year, Double Fish also provides referee's tables, referee's chairs, scoreboards, and time-out cards at the Paris 2024. The company also provided an innovative referee's table equipped with technology after their years of research in table tennis serving machines. "Now, instead of the referee manually tossing the ball, it's automatically dispensed through the table, enhancing fairness and efficiency," said Yang.
Feedback from players who had a chance to try the balls has been positive, with many describing the ball's elasticity, crisp sound, and precise trajectory as "cool". These attributes make for a more stable and enjoyable playing experience.
Booming global market driven by sports events
Looking beyond Paris, Double Fish is seeing an increasing business in its global layout, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia, North America, and the rapidly growing European market. "Our overseas sales have surged this year. As of June, we've seen over 20 shipments, exceeding last year's annual volume by more than 30%," he said.
The Paris Olympics not only provides a platform for elite athletes to showcase their skills but also creates economic opportunities for businesses. Many Guangdong enterprises, including Double Fish, are leveraging the Games to drive business growth and tap into the growing sports market. The increasing number of sports events and the rising consumption of sportswear and equipment indicate a growing enthusiasm for sports among the public.
Yang said, "We also hope to take advantage of these two months to expand the entire European market." Double Fish sees the Paris Olympics as an opportunity to refine its products and technologies, aiming to leverage this experience for the national games, further solidifying its position in sports goods.
He added, "With a flurry of domestic and international events lined up, including the upcoming 15th National Games of the People's Republic of China hosted across multiple cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), we're optimistic about the sports economy's potential."
Reporter & Script | Hannah
Video | Eastbrook, Hannah
Poster | Mia, Alice
Editor | Nan, Monica, Will, James
Chen Yuting (intern) also contributed to the story.
