Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai The IOC said in a statement that it had a video call with the IOC president on Sunday and told him that she was safe.
She was publicly absent for nearly three weeks after she claimed that a former senior Chinese official had sexually assaulted her. The photos and videos of a game held in Beijing earlier on Sunday hardly dispelled international attention.
In a statementThe International Olympic Committee said that at the beginning of the 30-minute call with President Thomas Bach, Peng thanked the International Olympic Committee for its care for her health.
The statement of the International Olympic Committee said: “She explained that she lives in her home in Beijing and she is safe, but now she hopes that her privacy will be respected.”
“That’s why she now prefers to spend time with friends and family. Nevertheless, she will continue to devote herself to tennis, a sport she loves very much.”
According to photos released by the organizers, Shuai appeared again at a youth tournament in Beijing early on Sunday when the ruling Communist Party tried to calm fears abroad while suppressing information about Peng after China accused Peng of sexual assault. .
The China Open’s post on Weibo’s social media service did not mention Peng’s disappearance or her allegations. The three-time Olympic champion and former Wimbledon champion was shown standing next to the court, waving and signing an oversized commemorative tennis ball for children.
On November 2nd, when she accused Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex, the ruling party seemed to try to allay concerns about Peng, but did not acknowledge her disappearance after November 2.
The disappearance of Peng and the silence of the official call for information prompted calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February, a prestigious event of the Communist Party. Unless the safety of the former doubles player in the world is guaranteed, the women’s professional tour may withdraw the event from China.
The Chinese website has deleted discussions of Peng’s allegations. On Friday, a government spokesperson denied knowing of the outcry. The ruling party’s Internet filter also prevents most Chinese from seeing other social media abroad and most global news media.
Comments on Chinese social media on Sunday criticized the Women’s Tennis Association and others who talked about Peng. The Chinese comments on Twitter made fun of official media employees who embarrassedly posted Peng’s photos and videos this weekend while the government remained silent.
“When will WTA leave China?” commented on the Sina Weibo social media service, signed “Sleep Time”.
In recent years, more and more Chinese businessmen, activists and ordinary people have disappeared after criticizing party members or fighting corruption or supporting democracy and labor rights movements.
Some people reappear weeks or months later without any explanation, suggesting that they are warned not to reveal the reason or reason for their detention.
The last sentence of a report on the website of the Global Times, an English-language newspaper published by the ruling party for foreign readers, mentioned Peng Yu’s presence on Sunday, but other Chinese media did not immediately report it.
Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin said on Twitter on Saturday that Peng was “free and at home” and would soon “appear in public.”
The Global Times is known for its nationalist tone. Hu used his Twitter account to criticize foreign governments and point out social and economic problems abroad.
A Twitter signed by bobzhang999 commented: “Hugou, with so many photos, why don’t you let Peng Shuai speak?”
Another signed magician said: “Let Peng Shuai’s parents hold a press conference.”
The tennis star and WTA are very outspoken in asking for information about Peng. Other companies and sports groups are reluctant to confront Beijing for fear of losing access to the Chinese market or encountering other retaliation.
The ruling party did not say whether it is investigating Peng’s allegations against the 75-year-old Gao, who left the Standing Committee in 2018 and basically disappeared from public life.
Even if Peng’s allegations are considered valid, the Chinese are often sentenced to prison or face other punishments for publicly complaining about abuse of power rather than embarrassing the party through the secret, often unresponsive official system.
The status of star athletes such as Peng is particularly sensitive. The official media celebrated their victory as a proof that the Communist Party is making China stronger. But the party is very vigilant to ensure that they cannot use their prestige and public appeal to weaken their image.
WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon expressed concern about Peng’s safety after newspaper editor Hu posted two videos on Saturday that appeared to be her in a restaurant.
After the tennis star disappears, the International Olympic Committee may take a tougher stance against China: members
“Although seeing her is positive, it is not clear whether she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own without coercion or external interference. This video alone is not enough,” Simon said. “Our relationship with China is at a crossroads.”
The International Olympic Committee has been silent about Peng’s status. He participated in three Olympic Games and helped the International Olympic Committee earn millions of dollars from broadcasting and sponsorship.
The established policy of the Olympic institution is “quiet diplomacy.” The International Olympic Committee said on Saturday that it will “continue to have open dialogue with China’s Olympic movement at all levels.”
When asked about human rights in China two weeks ago, Juan Antonio Samaranch, a senior member of the International Olympic Committee, said, “We have not discussed any issues with the Chinese government” on this topic.
The International Olympic Committee has previously stated that its partner for organizing the Winter Olympics is the local organizing committee, not the Chinese state. The committee is controlled by the Communist Party.
Emma Terho, the newly elected Chair of the IOC Athletes Committee, who is responsible for representing the interests of Olympic athletes, said in a statement on Saturday that “we support the quiet diplomacy favored by the IOC.”
Last week, the foreign branch of the national television station issued an English statement by Peng, withdrawing her allegations against Zhang. Simon of the WTA questioned its legitimacy, while others said it would only increase their concerns about her safety.
Documents from Reuters. The Associated Press sports writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report.
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