Yahoo Finance Peng Shuai: WTA suspends all tournaments in China over ongoing concerns for tennis star’s well-being
The WTA has suspended all tournaments in China due to ongoing concern for the situation facing Peng Shuai.
Last month, the 35-year-old accused former vice-premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault, after which she was not seen publicly for three weeks.
After a campaign involving many of the biggest names in the sport, Chinese state media journalists released footage of Peng, while Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Council, held a video call with her.
However, WTA Steve Simon described the footage as “insufficient” and has continued to put pressure on the country to take further steps to protect the wellbeing of Peng.
The decision has now been taken to immediately suspend tournaments in China, which Simon explained in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way,” he said.
“While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation. The WTA has been clear on what is needed here, and we repeat our call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into Peng Shuai’s sexual assault accusation.
“None of this is acceptable nor can it become acceptable. If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – would suffer an immense setback. I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.
As a result, and with the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong.
“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault.
“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.”
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