IOC favours ‘quiet diplomacy’ over safety of Peng

The International Olympic Committee says it held another call with Chinese star Peng Shuai yesterday amid continued concerns about her wellbeing in the wake of allegations she made last month that a former Chinese official sexually assaulted her.

The IOC’s statement, which said Peng appeared ‘‘safe and well, given the difficult situation she is in’’, came after the Women’s Tennis Association announced that it would suspend all tournaments in China and Hong Kong in a decision that could heighten calls for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The IOC has faced criticism from human rights advocates and others for taking a softer approach.

Concerns about Peng, a three-time

Olympian and a grand slam doubles champion, rose after a nearly threeweek public absence followed a November 2 social media post in which she accused former vice premier Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her.

There has been no comment about the allegation from Zhang, who retired in 2018, or the Chinese government, which blocked the topic from direct discussion on the country’s internet. Peng, 35, has been seen publicly only once since her post, which vanished within hours of its publication.

‘‘We share the same concern as many other people and organisations about the wellbeing and safety of Peng Shuai. This is why, just yesterday, an IOC team held another video call with her,’’ said the IOC’s statement.

‘‘We have offered her wideranging support, will stay in regular touch with her, and have already agreed on a personal meeting in January.’’

The IOC defended how it has handled the matter, including its announcement on November 21 that IOC president Thomas Bach had held a half-hour video call with Peng.

‘‘We have taken a very human and person-centred approach to her situation. Since she is a three-time Olympian, the IOC is addressing these concerns directly with Chinese sports organisations.’’

The organisation added that it was ‘‘using ‘quiet diplomacy’ which, given the circumstances and based on the experience of governments and other organisations, is indicated to be the most promising way to proceed effectively in such humanitarian matters’’.

Human rights activists applauded the WTA for taking a different approach, making a decision that could represent millions in lost revenue.

‘‘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,’’ WTA chief executive Steve Simon wrote in his organisation’s statement, adding he was ‘‘greatly concerned’’ about the risks WTA players and staff could face if the WTA held tournaments in China in 2022.

Human rights advocates sharply criticised Bach for using his stature as IOC president to shield the 2022 Olympics host as the hashtag #whereispengshuai gathered steam on social media.

The European Union joined the White House and the United Nations this week in calling for an investigation into Peng’s allegations and disappearance from public life.