After a 30-minute video call with International Olympics Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach on Sunday, the Committee announced that Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai is safe and doing well.
A statement put out by the organisation read that “[She] was doing fine, which was our main concern.” “At the beginning of the 30-minute call, Peng Shuai thanked the IOC for its concern about her wellbeing. She explained that she is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time...She prefers to spend her time with friends and family right now...Nevertheless, she will continue to be involved in tennis, the sport she loves so much,” the statement read.
The statement also included an image of Bach’s video call with Peng, with Peng smiling at the camera. Bach and Peng were also joined by Emma Terho, the Chair of the Athlete’s Commission, and Li Lingwei, an IOC Member in China.
“She appeared to be relaxed. I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated,” Terho said after the call.
Concerns about Peng’s safety and whereabouts first erupted state-owned news outlet CGTN’s international arm put out a statement that it claims was written by the tennis player. However, critics alleged that the statement was either falsified or coerced and demanded proof of her wellbeing.
Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai has sent an email to Steve Simon, the WTA Chairman & CEO, CGTN has learned. The email reads: pic.twitter.com/jb6yXwxENA
— CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) November 17, 2021
In response, on Sunday, a Chinese state media journalist posted a video clip on Twitter showing the tennis star smiling while standing with officials at a tennis tournament in Beijing. In addition, event organisers also posted her photos from the tournament on the event’s official WeChat page.
However, a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) spokesperson told Reuters the videos were “insufficient” evidence of the three-time Olympian’s safety and did not address the organisation’s concerns about her whereabouts. “This video does not change our call for a full, fair and transparent investigation, without censorship, into her allegation of sexual assault, which is the issue that gave rise to our initial concern,” the WTA said.
WTA chairman Steve Simon added, “While it is positive to see her, it remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference. This video alone is insufficient... I remain concerned about Peng Shuai’s health and safety and that the allegation of sexual assault is being censored and swept under the rug.”
Moreover, on Friday, the US-based tennis association said that it was willing to pull nearly a dozen sanctioned tennis events in China in 2022 over Peng’s disappearance. “I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads,” Simon said.
The former doubles world number one had disappeared from the public eye for almost three weeks after making sexual assault accusations against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on November 2. In a post taken down minutes later on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the 35-year-old athlete alleged that she was forced into sexual relations with Zhang three years ago, following which they had a consensual relationship.
It was the first time such a claim had been made against one of China’s political elite and is one of the most high profile cases in China’s #MeToo movement. Since Peng’s public post, China’s highly censored internet has blocked the topic from online discussion and it is no longer possible to search Peng Shuai or her account on Weibo. Neither Zhang nor the Chinese government has commented on her claim.
Her prolonged absence from public life following her remarks against the senior Chinese minister sparked concern and caused a widespread public outcry. Several international sports stars, including Roger Federer, international organisations such as the United Nations, and governments including the United States, have called on Beijing to provide proof of Peng’s safety.