Olympic chief makes video call to missing Chinese tennis star

[ad_1]

The head of the International Olympic Committee said he spoke to Peng Shuai in the latest attempt to calm growing international concern about the health of the Chinese tennis star.

Thomas Bach said he had a 30-minute video call with Peng on Sunday, in which the IOC said she was “fine and well” in Beijing but “would like to respect her privacy at this time”.

Prior to Sunday, Peng had not been seen or heard from since early November after she claimed via social media that former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli had assaulted her on at least one occasion. She also claimed that she was having a long-term affair with the powerful official.

Peng’s November 2 social media post in which she outlined her allegations against Zhang was unverified. The post was immediately deleted and all references to it by others were blocked by the Chinese censor.

Earlier in the weekend, Chinese state media released videos purporting to show Bing Shuai in public, in an attempt to dispel concern about her whereabouts.

The International Olympic Committee has come under fire for failing to use its influence to meddle in the case, ahead of the Winter Games in Beijing next year.

Olympic organizers said Emma Terhu, head of the IOC’s Athletes Commission, also joined the call with Bach. “She seemed relieved,” Terhu said. “I offered her our support and keeping in touch.”

The IOC said Ping also accepted an invitation to dine with Bach, Terhu and Li Lingwei, a former Olympic badminton champion, in January. The IOC said Li, who joined the call, had known Peng for many years.

The Bing case drew widespread attention to China’s authoritarian practices of censorship, enforced disappearances, and suppression of women’s rights activism.

Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times national outlet, posted videos on Twitter from the Fila Kids Junior Tennis Challenger event held in Beijing on Sunday morning.

One 37-second clip showed Bing on the court alongside tennis officials. She smiled and waved after introducing her name. Hu said the video was filmed by a Global Times reporter.

Peng Shuai appeared at the opening ceremony of the final match of the youth tennis match in Beijing on Sunday morning. It was taken by Global Times photo reporter Cui Meng at the scene. pic.twitter.com/7wlBcTMgGy

– Hu Xijin (@HuXijin_GT) November 21, 2021

Hours earlier, he posted two more videos, claiming that they show Bing having dinner at a restaurant on Saturday with her coach and friends.

“For the past few days, I’ve stayed home freely and didn’t want to be disturbed,” he said in a separate tweet.

Shen Xiu, a state TV employee, posted a video of Ping signing autographs at the event. He had earlier posted photos of the athlete surrounded by the games and allegedly shared them with her friends.

The Financial Times was unable to verify the authenticity of the photos or videos.

Steve Simon, chief executive of the Women’s Tennis Association, said the video clip from the dinner was “not enough” to prove Bing’s safety.

“While seeing her is positive, it remains unclear whether she is free and able to make decisions and take action on her own, without coercion or outside interference. . . . Allegations of sexual assault are being censored and are disappearing.”

The episode comes as calls are growing for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, set to begin in February, in protest of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Friday that the United States was “extremely concerned” about Peng and called on Chinese authorities to “provide independent, verifiable evidence of her whereabouts and that she is safe.”

Recommended

The biggest stars in professional tennis, including Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, have joined the WTA in support of Peng, the former top-ranked doubles player. There have been widespread calls not only to ensure the safety of the 35-year-old but also for investigations into her allegations against Zhang.

Simon, who suggested the association might be willing to pull events out of China, added: “I’ve been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads.”

Zhang, now retired and 40 years older than Peng, joined the most powerful body in the Communist Party of China, the Politburo Standing Committee, in 2012. Peng’s detailed accusations against a senior official are unparalleled in China and remain closely monitored.

[ad_2]