The IOC (International Olympic Committee) said on Thursday (2) that it made contact for the second time with Peng Shuai, a Chinese tennis player who last month accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex.
“We share the same concern as many other people and organizations about the well-being and safety of Peng Shuai. That’s why just yesterday an IOC team made another video call with her. and we have already arranged a personal meeting in January,” the committee declared in a statement.
Peng Shuai’s whereabouts had been an international concern for nearly three weeks after she posted a message on social media stating that Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.
After several days missing, the athlete reappeared about ten days ago, in Beijing, and made a video call with the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach.
“The IOC’s efforts led to a half-hour videoconference with Peng Shuai on November 21, during which she explained her situation and it appeared to be safe and well, given the difficult situation she finds herself in. This was reconfirmed in yesterday’s call. “, said the entity.
The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), however, did not consider that the episode alleviated concerns about the athlete’s well-being and announced this Wednesday (1st) the suspension of all her tournaments in China.
The organization’s president, Steve Simon, said he doesn’t see “how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has apparently been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault.”
“Given the current situation, I’m also very concerned about the risks all our players and teams could face if we held events in China in 2022,” he continued.
The decision marks a milestone in the relationship between sports organizations and the country that will host the Winter Olympics in February 2022 and constitutes an important market for global sport.
In 2019, the WTA held nine tournaments in China. Since then, all international tennis championships scheduled in the country have been canceled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Three years ago, the organization had signed a huge contract with the city of Shenzhen to host the WTA Finals, an event featuring the best tennis players of the season.
The IOC, for its part, was accused of simply wanting to ease diplomatic pressure on the holding of the Beijing Games, two months from now.
“The IOC’s behavior regarding allegations of sexual assault and the disappearance of Peng Shuai is irresponsible and shows how hollow its understanding of human rights actually is,” said Andrea Florence, interim director of the Sport & Rights Alliance.
The committee argued Thursday that it addresses the issue directly with Chinese sports organizations. “We are using a ‘silent diplomacy’ which, given the circumstances and based on the experience of governments and other organizations, is singled out as the most promising way to proceed effectively on such humanitarian issues.”
.
I have worked in the news industry for over 10 years. I have a vast amount of experience in covering health news. I am also an author at News Bulletin 247. I am highly experienced and knowledgeable in this field. I am a hard worker and always deliver quality work. I am a reliable source of information and always provide accurate information.
