ITTF Unveils “Table Tennis Planet Ambassador” Program on World Environment Day
On June 5, 2024, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) proudly unveiled its “Table Tennis Planet Ambassador” program, coinciding with World Environment Day. This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower players committed to fostering a more sustainable sports ecosystem.
Adriana Diaz, the world’s 12th-ranked player, and Martin Perry, a decorated Para table tennis athlete representing Great Britain, have been appointed as the first Table Tennis Planet Ambassadors. These elite athletes have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, actively working towards a more responsible lifestyle and a sustainable indoor sports landscape.
Adriana Diaz: Celebrating Sustainability and Success
Adriana Diaz, a celebrated sports icon from Puerto Rico, has achieved remarkable success at the Pan American Games and made history as the first female table tennis player to represent her country at the Olympics in 2016. In 2019, she won Puerto Rico’s first gold medals in the Pan American Games, earning her the prestigious title of “Athlete of the Decade” in 2020. Adriana’s passion for sustainability is evident in her collaboration with her sisters to launch an eco-friendly notebook collection.
Martin Perry: Advocating for Plastic-Free Sports
Martin Perry, a Para table tennis player competing in class 6, is a double European Team Champion and a World Championships bronze medallist. He will make his Paralympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games. Perry has been an advocate for reducing plastic waste and has actively participated in campaigns promoting the use of reusable materials within the sports community.
“We are delighted to have Adriana Diaz and Martin Perry as our first Table Tennis Planet Ambassadors. Their commitment to this initiative will set a powerful example for athletes worldwide, and I am confident many others will follow,” said Petra Sörling, ITTF President and Member of the International Olympic Committee.
The Table Tennis Planet Ambassadors program is designed to raise awareness of global sustainability issues and provide athletes with a platform to voice their passions and take action. Ambassadors will receive support on their environmental sustainability journey, gaining knowledge and education about urgent environmental challenges, such as climate change, clean water, waste, plastic, equipment manufacturing, travel, carbon footprint, and product lifecycle.
The ITTF’s core vision is to make table tennis accessible to everyone, for life and for generations to come. To achieve this, the Federation has made it its mission to put People, Planet, and Prosperity at the heart of everything it does. Sustainability in table tennis involves balancing environmental, social, and economic factors to create a healthy, equitable, and prosperous society within the table tennis community, without compromising the ability of future generations to do so.
The ITTF is a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Sport for Climate Action Framework and one of the founding organisations to support the Sport for Nature Framework. Its commitment to integrating sustainability into all its operations and contributing to solutions for pressing global challenges is detailed in the ITTF Sustainability Action Plan 2025.
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