'Chinese wall' hampers development of ping-pong

China pulled off an historic clean sweep at the Olympic table tennis, cementing its status as the superpower but raising concerns about the sport's future.

China won all six medals in the men's and women's singles, plus two golds in the team events for eight out of eight possible medals.

With countries and regions allowed only one men's and women's team in that event, which replaced doubles in Beijing for the first time, its rivals enjoyed success by claiming the minor medals.