The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is facing urgent demands for a formal investigation following allegations of inappropriate physical contact
and suspected sexual harassment involving a member of the Chinese Taipei women’s team. The incident occurred during security screenings at the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London.
The matter came to light after Cheng Chia-chi, the coach of the Chinese Taipei team, took to Instagram to express grave concern over the treatment of his players. According to the coach, the incident took place during the pre-match security process, where security personnel allegedly engaged in inappropriate physical contact with an athlete, causing significant psychological distress and disrupting the team’s planned lineup for their opening match.
“In the pre-match security check process, an extremely serious and unacceptable situation occurred. Security personnel had inappropriate physical contact with our player, and there was even suspected sexual harassment behavior, whereas blocking the player’s normal passage. This caused obvious psychological pressure and directly affected our lineup and participation.” Cheng Chia-chi, Coach, Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Team
Impact on Team Performance and Lineup
The severity of the encounter was reflected in the team’s tactical decisions. Despite the turmoil, the Chinese Taipei women’s team secured a 3-1 victory over the South Korean team—led by world No. 10 Shin Yubin—in their first match of the opening stage. However, the team was forced to rely on three high school players: Yeh I-tien, Peng Yu-han, and Wu Ying-hsuan.
Notably, veteran mainstays Cheng I-ching and Chen Siyu were not listed in the lineup for the match. The absence of these experienced players from the athlete’s bench during the contest sparked speculation, which was later clarified by Coach Cheng as a direct result of the security incident and the subsequent psychological impact on the affected athlete.
Official Response and Institutional Commitments
Yeh Kuo-chin, the Secretary General of the Table Tennis Association accompanying the team, confirmed that the association is currently in communication with the tournament’s CEO and competition manager to resolve the issue. The association has stated that results of the inquiry will be made public as soon as they are available.
The ITTF has historically emphasized a commitment to athlete safety and dignity. The governing body has previously taken decisive action against harassment, including a March 2025 ruling where a coach was suspended for 10 years following a finding by the ITTF Tribunal regarding violations of the anti-harassment policy. The federation established a dedicated task force in January 2025 to address player concerns and improve safeguarding protocols.
The current situation in London puts these institutional commitments to the test, as the Chinese Taipei team has formally requested a clear response and a thorough investigation from the ITTF to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that the basic dignity and safety of all athletes are guaranteed.
Context: The Stakes of the 2026 World Championships
The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships represent one of the most prestigious events on the sporting calendar. With China expected to dominate the field—led by stars like Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong—the competition is fierce. For teams like Chinese Taipei, the focus remains on maintaining professional standards and player well-being amidst the high-pressure environment of a global championship.
For readers unfamiliar with the process, security screenings at major sporting events are standard, but they are governed by strict protocols to ensure they are non-invasive and respectful of the athletes’ bodily autonomy. Any deviation from these standards, especially those involving suspected harassment, is treated as a serious breach of international sporting conduct.
Key Takeaways
- The Incident: Allegations of inappropriate physical contact and suspected sexual harassment during security checks in London.
- The Impact: Affected the psychological state of the athlete and altered the Chinese Taipei women’s team lineup.
- The Result: Despite the distress, Chinese Taipei defeated South Korea 3-1 in their opening match.
- Action Taken: Coach Cheng Chia-chi and Secretary General Yeh Kuo-chin have demanded a full ITTF investigation.
- Institutional Context: The ITTF has previously implemented a task force and issued long-term suspensions for harassment violations.
The next confirmed checkpoint is the publication of the investigation results from the tournament organizers and the ITTF. The sporting community awaits a transparent account of the security failure and the measures that will be implemented to protect athletes for the remainder of the championships.
Do you believe international sporting bodies do enough to protect athletes during non-competitive hours? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
