At 39, Germany's Timo Boll is already a living legend. Despite his antediluvian vintage, however, he is not ready to be consigned to the dustbin of history just yet. Boll was in peak condition preparing for what would have been this year's summer games, postponed a year due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. "I was in the best shape and expected to perform well," he says. Boll has already secured three Olympic medals in the men's team event, a silver in 2008 his best (so far). He is not losing sleep about making it to the Tokyo Olympics. "I've been told that all those qualified this year will be able to compete next year as well," says Boll. "It's very comforting." Boll has already all but assured his sixth Olympic appearance due to his success with the German national team at the 2019 European Championships. Even if the German Olympic Committee, for some strategic reason, decides to award the three men's berths to Boll's teammates, he should be a lock due to his top-ten world ranking. In the meantime, Boll is stuck at home like the rest of us. Luckily, he is not alone. Most importantly, Boll is safe with his wife, Rodelia, and their six-year-old, Zoey Malaya. Boll says his daughter is holding up well enough, considering the circumstances. "She is missing her friends, of course," reports her world-famous athlete father. "After several weeks, we need to be creative to avoid boredom." Somewhat like the Jetsons, the Boll family is also served by a versatile robot. Instead of the mechanical maid Rosie, however, a table tennis robot helps keep daddy in playing shape. Powered by artificial intelligence, the KUKA robot is conveniently one of Boll's sponsors. For a born competitor like Boll, however, there is no substitute for the intensity and unpredictability of world-class human competition. "I know we have to wait until August, at least, but I can't wait for regular action," says Boll. "This sport is my desire."

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