Love game rocks China ping pong

Reports from China say four table tennis players have been removed from the national squad for having affairs with team members.

Three women players and one man were sent home to "carry out deep reflection", according to local media quoting the head coach, Cai Zhenhua.

He said that the players had engaged in romantic affairs, which are banned by team rules and had affected their training.

"This is an Olympic year, and we are facing an arduous task," Cai said.

Women's world number 10, Li Nan, 21, and her team mates Bai Yang,19, and Fan Ying,17, were the players ordered home along with Hou Chouying, 21, from the men's team who was identified as Li's boyfriend.

But it seems that others involved in romantic pursuits have got off lightly, at least for the moment.

Media reports said that world number one Ma Lin was Bai's boyfriend, but he had escaped punishment because he was expected to do well at the Athens Olympics later this year.

His doubles partner, Wang Hao, was also let off, despite reports naming him as being involved with Fan Ying.

It is not clear whether or not the four ordered to leave the team would be allowed back.

Analysts say the affair demonstrates how seriously table tennis - or ping pong - is taken in China.

Like most athletes, the sport's players are selected at early ages to go to special state-run schools where their private lives are strictly controlled.