The ITTF European Olympic Qualification Tournament has been moved from Istanbul to Halmstad ©Getty Images

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) European Olympic Qualification Tournament has been switched from Istanbul to Halmstad in Sweden in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the country, the world governing body announced today.

Originally due to be held from April 6 to April 10, the event, where key places at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will be up for grabs, is now due to take place between April 12 and 16.

Five people were killed in a suicide bombing attack in the city last week and 36 were wounded.

It followed three acts of terrorism in Turkey's capital Ankara since October and comes after 37 people were killed and around 125 were injured in a car bombing on March 13.

The region was the subject of terrorist attack in February, during which 29 people lost their lives.

The worst incident to hit Ankara in October occurred in October, where 103 civilians were killed when two bombs were detonated at the city’s train station.

Ankara is around 450 kilometres from Istanbul.

The decision to move the European Olympic Qualification Tournament to Halmstad was made by the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) Executive Board, along with the ITTF.

World Curling also opted to move one of their events out of Turkey after the World Junior Championships, held from March 5 to 13, were re-allocated from Erzurum, located in the east of the country, to Copenhagen.

A suicide bombing in Istanbul last week killed five people and wounded 36
A suicide bombing in Istanbul last week killed five people and wounded 36 ©Getty Images

“It is with great reluctance that the ETTU Executive Board - in full cooperation with the ITTF - had to take this action,” ETTU President Ronald Kramer said.

“But under the current circumstances in Istanbul, many of the European Member Associations, players, coaches and others have informed us of their great concern in this period of time to travel to Istanbul.

“ETTU understands these concerns and also holds the opinion that from a human point of view it may even be unfair to ask our Turkish colleagues to continue preparing the event.”

An ITTF statement added: “In light of the recent attacks in Turkey, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) wishes to convey its condolences to the victims, and all the people living in Turkey.

“Due to the present circumstances in Turkey, the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) has come to a conclusion to reschedule the ITTF-European Olympic Qualification Tournament that that was originally scheduled to be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 6-10 April 2016.”

A total of 11 Rio 2016 places for men and women will be on offer at the competition in Halmstad.

Halmstad staged a men's ITTF World Cup event last year and is due to play host to the World Team Championships in 2018.