Mr Weiss said he had wanted to be a professional table-tennis player and had even played a match last weekend.

BBC: Germany stunned by shooting spree

Try as they may, the investigators may never know what happened to a talented table-tennis player who proudly held his trophies in school pictures.

BBC: Profile: Tim Kretschmer

For just as that American table tennis player pointed out -- we share much in common as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Holds Town Hall with Chinese Youth

Five athletes - all in summer sports - have competed in the Paralympics and Olympics - South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, American runner Marla Runyan, Polish table tennis player Natalia Partyka, Italian archer Paola Fantato and New Zealand archer Neroli Fairhall.

BBC: Blind skier Brian McKeever makes Olympic history