Good times are back in Poland. First came the exciting news that India's Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, the 32nd-ranked player in the world, would be joining defending Polish Super Leauge champions Sokolow S.A. Jaroslaw. As if that weren't enough to set Poland atwitter, then came a most welcome announcement from the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU). After a year of uncertainty, and the cancellation of dozens of international tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Liebherr 2020 ITTF European Table Tennis Championships will indeed go on as planned this September 15-20 in Warsaw. ETTU president Ronald Kramer delicately acknowledged the challenges ahead with some euphemistic adjective choices. "Although the present circumstances are complicated and demand a lot from organizers and participants, we are working hard with our Polish friends to prepare what will be unique LIEBHERR 2020 European Championships," said Kramer. Polish Table Tennis Association president Dariusz Szumacher, for his part, struck a defiant tone. "I believe that a pandemic will not stop us and we will organize a large international sports event in Poland," he said. Szumacher then pivoted to hype the home team. "Of course, I count on organizational success but also very good performances of our representatives. Two years ago in Alicante, Spain, [Poland's] Li Qian won the gold medal... Men also have a chance for good results." The significance of the event goes beyond the individual and national glory at stake. The European Championships will be the first ITTF-sanctioned international table tennis tournament since the Oman Open in March. As such, it is something like the dove setting out from Noah's ark in search of dry land after the flood. "In the time of pandemic, sport plays a very important role in social life, which is why the return of the biggest international events is very important," said Poland's Minister of Sport, Danuta Dmowska-Andrzejuk. "I hope that everything will take place in accordance with all safety rules and Poland will be an organizational example for other host countries." In many ways, the European Championships will be an experiment to see if a major international tournament can be successfully executed in these "complicated" times. Its success or failure would have major ramifications for the postponed Olympics, World Championships and other major table tennis events. As always, we wish Poland the best of luck. Regardless of whose heads the laurels land upon, the real victor would be the proverbial dove returning with an olive branch, leading the way to land upon which to land.

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