China, adding to its list of complaints about the Tokyo Olympics, have now claimed that the “smaller than usual” size of the playing areas may affect players’ performance and safety, according to AFP. Though China have won 28 of the 32 table tennis titles awarded at the Olympics, the pandemic-delayed Games has thrown up several challenges, from inconsistent form among China’s top players to new rules to stop the coronavirus spreading. The Games will begin on July 23.

Chinese Table Tennis Association president Liu Guoliang told state broadcaster CCTV, “The whole playing space is smaller than usual… world competitions normally have areas measuring seven by 14 metres… I just measured it at six by 11 metres.”

Also Read| Managing coronavirus at the pandemic Olympics

The players have also voiced concerns and said that they were slightly affected by the small size.

The trending hashtag “Liu Guoliang uses his foot length to measure the Olympic venue” gained 250 million views on social media site Weibo.  “We didn’t expect some epidemic rules like not wiping the game table with your hand, or blowing (on the ball),” he told CCTV last week.

Explained: What happens if athletes test COVID positive at Tokyo Olympics

Last week, the Chinese sailing team complained of poor prevention measures at Village hotel. They said that competitors were forced to mix with other guests. China’s six-member table tennis squad this year includes reigning Olympic champion Ma Long and world number one Fan Zhendong in the men’s singles, while world champion Liu Shiwen will play the mixed doubles and women’s team events.

Also Read| Dhyan Chand and the story of Indian hockey’s Olympic supremacy

Aside from China, the only other countries to win Olympic table tennis titles are South Korea (three times) and Sweden (once). However, this year fierce rivals Japan are counting on home advantage and some notably strong players — raising fears that the Chinese team might not have it all their own way in the delayed Tokyo Olympics. China is taking a record delegation of 777 athletes and staff to Japan — its largest to an overseas Games.