2012 London to London

Words of Wisdom
Colin Clemett is the author of “From London to
London”; it is his patient and painstaking work
that has made the comprehensive book possible.
We are indebted to his efforts.
Photo: Rémy Gros
Hours of detailed research have been necessary
in order to produce this publication;
delving into the archives has been the
work of Colin Clemett.
True to his character he has unravelled
minutes of meetings, researched articles
in magazines of yesteryear and placed
matters into a logical, detailed and understandable
order; but that is Colin Clemett.
A reply from Colin Clemett is always forthcoming
in a rational manner. Never is
there a peak of anger or a hasty remark
in annoyance, always a response of calm
reason; you receive a reply in which you
can have total confidence.
He is in the same position as the player
who stands at the top of the World ranking
list; that player has nowhere to go to
find a practice partner of a higher level.
It is the same for Colin Clemett, if there
is a problem to be solved, he is the man
to whom you turn when all else has failed
but where does he go for clarification?
The answer is simple, nowhere, he is the
ultimate; like the player ranked at the
top of the global order, there is no higher
point of reference.
If Colin Clemett cannot give an answer,
then there is no answer but that never
happens, a judgement to help solve the issue
is always made.
One man above all who appreciates the
advice of Colin Clemett is Richard Scruton,
the Referee for the Athens 2004 Olympic
Games and the Table Tennis Competition
Manager for the London 2012 Olympic
Games.
He is a man to turn to for advice but more
than once I have heard him utter the immortal
words “let me check with Colin”.
Quite right, Colin Clemett is the iconic arbiter,
the definitive advisor and only the
very few in sport can compare with his
pedigree.
A life member of the English Table Tennis
Association; he has been a member of the
ETTA National Umpires and Referees Committee
for 55 years and Secretary since
1959.
Meanwhile, for the International Table
Tennis Federation, he was Secretary of the
Rules Committee from 1969 to 1973 and
Chairman from 1973 to 2003. He was responsible
for the introduction of the International
Umpire and International Referee
qualifications, editor of the Handbooks
for Match Officials and Tournament Referees,
whilst being a Technical Delegate at
the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games.
Deservedly he has been recognised for his
contribution. He was appointed a member
of the ITTF President’s Advisory Council in
2005 and ITTF Personal Honorary Member
in 2007.
He is a man held in high esteem by all and
a man with whom it has been a privilege
and honour to work in compiling London
to London, the work of Colin Clemett.
Ian Marshall (Editor)