The British Olympic Association is pleased to announce that the following table tennis player has been selected to represent Great Britain at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Sydney.

Matthew Syed Men’s Singles

Born 2.11.70
Matthew, 29, was England National Champion in 1997, 1998 and 2000. He was Commonwealth singles champion in 1997 and 2000 and member of the team which won the Commonwealth team Gold in 1997 and 2000. Matthew won team Silver at the European Championships in 1992. He has also competed in several World Championships. Matthew competed in the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. He has won several international titles, including the Czech Open Men’s Singles Championships in 1991. The current national number one and Britain’s highest world ranked player, he plays a spectacular long range defensive game and is regarded as one of the world’s best retrievers of the ball. He writes for a national broad sheet newspaper and does television commentary on table tennis. Matthew has a first class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Balliol College, University of Oxford. Matthew has many interests, including reading, politics and current affairs, and is the prospective Labour candidate for the parliamentary constituency of Wokingham – currently John Redwood’s seat.

Simon Clegg, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for the Olympic Games, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Matthew into Team GB. Matthew is a highly experienced international competitor and we wish him all the best as he makes his final preparations for the Olympic table tennis tournament in Sydney.’ For more information contact Philip Pope (ext. 233) or Becki Middleton (ext. 215) in the BOA Press Office on 0208 871 2677.

Source: BOA