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Ping Pong Diplomacy & Its Legacy: A Panel Discussion in Honor of the 40th Anniversay of Ping Pong Diplomacy
July 5, 2011 @ 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
1:30-3:30 pm Program
Koret Auditorium
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street, San Francisco
FREE Admission; Advance RSVP strongly recommended
To register, email Amanda Huffman at ahuffman@asiasoc.org or call 415.421.8707
Please join us for a star-studded, one-of-a-kind celebration of the 40th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy. See some of the original players – from both the US and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) — from the 1971 delegation as well as today’s champions play matches, and hear their thoughts on 40 years of sport, sports diplomacy, and the strong ties between the US and China today – what has become the most important bilateral relationship in the world.
40 years ago, the world changed for the better. Despite the long political divide between the U.S. and the PRC following WWII, China cracked open the diplomatic door and allowed in the first Americans in two decades. What sparked this sudden opening? Ping Pong. The courage of two athletes — one from each country — started the process that led to President Nixon’s historic visit to China in 1972.
Now the Bay Area welcomes a Chinese delegation of table tennis Olympians and sports officials, including members of the team who played in the original matches in 1971.
For more information and this and related events – including an exhibition match, coaches’ clinic, and more!– please visit http://www.basoc.org/ping_pong_diplomacy.html
Participants:
Tim Boggan, member of the 1971 Ping Pong Diplomacy Team, former Vice President, International Table Tennis Federation Vice-President, author.
Willie Banks, Olympian, President, US Olympic Alumni Association.
George Braithwaite, member of the US Ping Pong Diplomacy team; former Vice President, US Table Tennis Association Board.
Cai Zhenhua, President, Chinese Table Tennis Association; Vice President, Chinese Olympic Committee.
Judy Hoarfrost, the youngest member of the 1971 U.S. Ping Pong Diplomacy Team; member of the U.S. table tennis team for ten years.
Robert Kapp (moderator), former president, U.S.-China Business Council, former professor of Chinese History, University of Washington.
Adham Sharara, President, International Table Tennis Federation.
Co-organized by the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee, Chinese Historical Society of America, and Asia Society.