Tennis player Peng Shuai's appearance in a video call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach after being out of site for weeks offered few details, no follow-up on her allegations and invited more questions for the IOC, Peng and China.
FILE - China's Peng Shuai waves after losing to Canada Eugenie Bouchard in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 15, 2019. Out of public view for almost three weeks, Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai appeared Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 in a live video call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The IOC and the Chinese government would like this to be the end of the Peng saga, which has run since Nov. 2 when she accused former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.The interview offered few details, no follow-ups on her allegations, and invited more questions for the IOC, Peng, and China.
The IOC said Bach invited Peng, a former No. 1-ranked doubles player and a three-time Olympian, to dinner when he is town to oversee the troubled Beijing Winter Olympics that open on Feb. 4. The concerns for Peng from the WTA and so many of its top and retired players — Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Martina Navratilova — and global attention on the WhereIsPengShuai social media movement have put pressure on China, even if the news of her allegations is blacked out at home.
The effort to silence Peng reflects the ruling Communist Party’s determination to squelch criticism of its leaders. Athletes are especially sensitive politically because they are well-known, admired for their achievements, and used to promote the party’s success.A three-time Olympian, Peng accused Zhang of sexual assault on social media in China, which was immediately taken down on its heavily censored internet. She also described having a consensual relationship with the Chinese official.
Although the IOC casts itself as a non-governmental organization, it’s a sports business — like the WTA or NBA — that generates 91% of its income from sponsors and selling broadcast rights.
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