The International Olympic Committee reported that it held a second videoconference with the Chinese tennis player, in which it has offered “support at any level.”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has held a second videoconference with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai in which he has offered “support at any level” and has arranged a personal meeting for the month of January, informs the Olympic body in a statement in which it “reconfirms” that the athlete is apparently in good condition.
“We share the same concern as many other individuals and organizations for the well-being and safety of Peng Shuai. For this reason, yesterday an IOC team had another video call with her, “says the note, made public a day after the WTA canceled all its tournaments in China while the situation of the player is not clarified.
Peng revealed on November 2 on the social network Weibo that he had an intermittent love affair with the former deputy prime minister for years Zhang Gaoli, whom she accused of having sexually abused her on one occasion.
The debate on the accusations was quickly censored on Chinese social networks and the original publication (which said “that afternoon I did not consent and cried all the time”) disappeared. The tennis player’s whereabouts are unknown, although on the 21st he held a videoconference with the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, of which graphic testimony was offered.
“There are different ways to check their status and safety,” says the IOC in its note this Thursday. “We have opted for a human and person-based approach. Since she is a three-time Olympian, we address these concerns directly with Chinese sports organizations. We employ ‘quiet diplomacy’ (…), the most promising avenue on these humanitarian issues ”.
The statement recalls that in the November 21 call, Peng “explained his situation and was apparently safe and well, given the difficult situation he is going through.” “This was reconfirmed in yesterday’s call,” he insists.
Who is, and where is he, Peng Shuai?
“Our personal approach means that we remain concerned about her situation and will continue to support her,” the note concludes.
The WTA considered the evidence of Peng status provided by the IOC to be insufficient, for suspecting that the player spoke under pressure, and insists that the accusation be formally investigated.
The number one in the men’s tennis classification, Serbian Novak Djokovic, showed on Wednesday in Madrid, where he disputes the Davis Cup, his “total support” for the WTA’s decision, considering the information on the true state “insufficient” of Peng.
The controversy occurs two months after the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. (D)
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