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Missing Tennis Player Peng Shuai 'Safe And Well' In Video Call With Olympics Boss

Missing Tennis Player Peng Shuai 'Safe And Well' In Video Call With Olympics Boss

Peng has been missing ever since she publicly accused a former leading Communist Party official of sexual assault.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Peng Shuai has had a video call with International Olympic Committee (IOC) boss Thomas Bach, telling him she is "safe and well".

The tennis star has been missing ever since she publicly accused a former leading Communist Party official of sexual assault.

With no one able to contact her, there were growing concerns for her whereabouts as a number of high-profile figures reached out to the public for information.

Now, three weeks after her initial disappearance, Peng has had a video call with the IOC.

"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," a statement from the sporting body read.

"That is why she prefers to spend her time with friends and family right now."

The statement also said that Peng "thanked the IOC for its concern about her well-being."

It's understood athletes commission chair Emma Terho also sat in on the call with the former Wimbledon doubles champion.

"I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern," Terho said.

"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."

Peng Shuai
Peng Shuai

When news broke a few weeks ago that Peng was missing, there was immediate concerns given the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

Those worries were then compounded when Chinese state media released a letter written to the World Tennis Association (WTA) which was said to be from Peng herself.

The letter claimed that she was actually fine and that her serious allegations made against a former Chinese Communist Party member were, in fact, false.

Chinese state media have also posted various pictures and videos of Peng enjoying a meal with her friends in the days following the letter.

Naturally, people were skeptical - WTA boss Steve Simon being one of them.

"It remains unclear if she is free and able to make decisions and take actions on her own, without coercion or external interference," Simon said of the new clips.

Videos surfaced showing Peng out at dinner.
Twitter

"This video alone is insufficient.

"I have been clear about what needs to happen and our relationship with China is at a crossroads."

And when the letter emerged, he still wasn't buying it.

"The statement released today by Chinese state media concerning Peng Shuai only raises my concerns as to her safety and whereabouts," Simon said.

"I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her. Peng Shuai displayed incredible courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top official in the Chinese government.

"The WTA and the rest of the world need independent and verifiable proof that she is safe. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communication, to no avail.

"Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. Her allegation of sexual assault must be respected, investigated with full transparency and without censorship.

"The voices of women need to be heard and respected, not censored nor dictated to."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/IOC

Topics: IOC, Tennis, Tennis news, Australia