In response to sexual assault allegations made by Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai pertaining to a Chinese government official, the Women’s Tennis Association has announced that it is suspending its tournaments in China.
Peng recently posted on social media after being out of the public eye since Nov. 2, according to a previous report by State Newswire. However, the substance of her message became cause for concern when she accused a high-ranking Chinese official of sexual assault. According to wtatennis.com, Peng’s message has been removed from the Internet and discussion has been censured in China.
Association CEO Steve Simon expressed that he is worried about the status of Shuai, saying video was not enough to ensure that she is safe.
“Chinese officials have been provided the opportunity to cease this censorship, verifiably prove that Peng is free and able to speak without interference or intimidation, and investigate the allegation of sexual assault in a full, fair and transparent manner,” Simon said in a released statement. “Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way. While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation.”
Simon went on to say that he does not believe he can ask athletes to compete in China when her status is unclear and that she has not been able to communicate freely. He said he is concerned with the safety of other participants, as well as Peng.
“Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022,” Simon said.
When asked if the situation involving Peng Shuai would affect the Biden administration's decision on participation in February's Beijing Winter Olympics, White House press secretary Jen Psaki did not have a full update on Dec. 2. However, CNN reported Dec. 6 that the Biden administration does not plan to send officials to the Olympics, creating a diplomatic boycott.
On Dec. 3, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Va.) and U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) joined to introduce a bipartisan resolution "condemning the International Olympic Committee [IOC] for collaborating with Chinese government officials to cover up" the allegations made by Peng Shuai.
The resolution reportedly calls on the IOC to carry out a variety of actions including opening an independent and transparent investigation into Shuai’s allegations, while also publicly committing to holding sexual violence abusers accountable. It also calls for the IOC to cease censorship pertaining to the case and allow her to leave China if she desires, while also not retaliating against her family members if Peng does so.
“The IOC’s decision to participate in this coverup is alarming and demonstrates a dangerous lack of regard for basic human rights and the safety of athletes,” Wexton said in a prepared statement.
Waltz added, “The IOC has demonstrated, yet again, it cares more about appeasing the Chinese Communist Party and the Olympics’ corporate sponsors rather than the wellbeing of Olympic tennis star Peng Shuai.”
