BEIJING: 

Rashid Ramzi

Despite the game's popularity in China, largely because of the country's domination at it, table tennis events have been played before empty stands at the Beijing Olympics.

In their desperation to popularise the game, which is associated with former US president Richard Nixon's diplomatic efforts to improve relations with China, the game's administrators are urging that women players wear skirts and shirts "with curves".

Traditionally, women table tennis players have worn baggy shorts and shirts unlike their tennis counterparts who are now increasingly attired in designer outfits.

An international Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) vice president remarked: "We are trying to push the players to use skirts and also nicer shirts, not the shirts that are made for men, but ones with more curves."

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Bahrain secured its first ever medal in six Olympics through 28-year old Morocco-born Rashid Ramzi when he won the men's 1,500m race.

Ramzi won in a race notable for tactical maneuvering in 3 min 32.94 sec, ahead of Kenya's Asbel Kipruto Kiprop with New Zealander Nicholas in third place.

Ramzi, who moved to Bahrain in 2004 to join the army, kicked 300m from the post. His Kenyan-born teammate Belal Mansoor Ali was now hot on his heels but Ramzi fought back a determined last gasp assault over the last 60 metres to clinch the gold.

The win replicated Ramzi's form in the 2005 world championships in which the Bahraini became the first athlete since New Zealand's Peter Snell in 1964 to win a 800m/1500m double in a global championship.

The victory was particularly sweet for Ramzi who was eliminated from the 1500m race in Athens '04. after which he had promised he would "raise the bar".