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WTA Suspends Tournaments in China Over Peng Shuai Situation

  • Posted Dec 2, 2021 09:49 by Rhea Soco
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INTERNATIONAL: The Women's Tennis Association has announced on Wednesday, it has decided to suspend tournaments in China due to concerns over the safety of former doubles world number one Peng Shuai. WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon has said that he cannot figure out how to ask their athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely.

According to the Chief Executive of the Women's Tennis Association Steve Simon, Peng Shuai has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault. He is greatly concerned about the risks that all of their players and staff could face if they were to hold events in China next year. The whereabouts of Peng became a matter of international concern for nearly three weeks after she posted a message on social media alleging that China's former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli had sexually assaulted her.

On 21 Nov, IOC President Thomas Bach had a 30-minute video call with Peng -- a three-times Olympian who supporters say may be under political duress -- during which she told him she was safe and with family and friends. But Simon, who said the decision to suspend tournaments in China had the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, is not convinced all is well with Peng.

Simon has added that while they now know where Peng is, he has serious doubts that she is free, safe, and not subject to censorship, coercion, and intimidation. He says the WTA has been clear on what is needed, and they repeat their call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship into Peng Shuai’s sexual assault accusation.


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