Jean-Michel Saive: 'I could take part in my eighth Olympic Games'

Seven-time Olympian and table tennis legend Jean-Michel Saive has not ruled out another Olympic outing in Rio de Janeiro next year.

The 45-year-old Belgian, who will be competing at the European Games in Baku, is one of three players with seven Olympic Games behind them, alongside Jorgen Persson of Sweden and Zoran Primorac of Croatia.

"I don't want to have any regrets," Saive, who is chair of the European Olympic Committees' athletes' commission, told reporters.

"Maybe it's a bit stupid to try and break this record. But my son says, okay it's great to have the record but it's better to have the record alone.

"But I will not die for it. Number one in the world in 1994-95, 25 national titles. Without eight Olympics it's still a big life, but I'll try just for fun."

The men's table tennis competition at the European Games begins on Tuesday June 16.

Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte