Peng Shuai during her first singles match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia on January 21, 2020.
(CNN) -
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) held a second call with Peng Shuai on Wednesday, saying the Chinese tennis star "reconfirmed" that she was safe and sound despite the "difficult situation" she is in. , reported this Thursday the sports organization.
Peng, one of China's most renowned sports stars, publicly accused a former senior Communist Party leader, Vice Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, of forcing her to have sex at home three years ago.
The accusation was made in a social media post, now deleted, dated November 2.
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The tennis player was immediately silenced by general censorship and disappeared from the public scene for more than two weeks, prompting the world of women's tennis to demand answers about her whereabouts, as well as a full investigation into her allegations against Zhang.
Amid mounting global outcry, people working for the Chinese government-controlled media and the state sports system posted a series of photos and videos of Peng as "proof of life."
On November 21, the IOC said in a statement that its president, Thomas Bach, held a 30-minute video call with the three-time Olympian Peng, along with a Chinese sports official and another IOC representative, and stated that during the call, Peng seemed "fine" and "relaxed", saying that she "would like her privacy to be respected."
The IOC did not explain how the video call with Peng was organized and has not released the video.
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Peng Shuai returning a shot against Daria Kasatkina during her singles match at the 2019 China Open.
In a summary of the second call, the IOC said it had offered the tennis star "broad support" and promised to keep in regular contact with her, adding that "he had already arranged a personal meeting in January."
The IOC also told CNN that it would not provide any visual assets from Wednesday's second video call, amid growing skepticism about Peng's freedom of communication, as well as concerns for his safety.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced on Wednesday the immediate suspension of all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, in response to Beijing's silencing of sexual assault allegations.
WTA announces immediate suspension of all tennis tournaments in China amid concern over Peng Shuai
China responds to boycott
WTA President and CEO Steve Simon said the decision was based on the "unacceptable" response from Chinese officials, which included rushing to censor Peng's allegations and ignoring calls for a full and transparent investigation.
"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 apparently been pressured to contradict his accusation of sexual assault," Simon said.
"Given the current state of affairs, I am also extremely concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we held events in China in 2022."
Former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli (seen here in 2012) was publicly accused by Peng of forcing her to have sex at his home three years ago.
Beijing responded to the decision, and the Chinese state media Global Times accused the WTA of "setting a bad example to the entire sporting world," in a highly critical editorial published on Thursday.
The article called the WTA decision an "exaggerated spectacle", intended to act as "lever of Western public opinion against China's political system."
China "strongly opposes any act that politicizes sport," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin added during a briefing on Thursday.
"Unfortunately, China's leaders have not addressed this very serious issue in a credible way. Although we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that he is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation," Simon said.
Longtime IOC member Dick Pound said the "unanimous conclusion" of those who participated in the November 21 call with Peng is that she is fine, adding that he has been "puzzled" by the international reaction to the call.
The Chinese authorities have not acknowledged Peng's allegations against Zhang - who has withdrawn from public life since his retirement in 2018 - and there is no indication that an investigation is under way.
It remains unclear whether Peng has reported her allegations to the police.
Players express their support for the WTA
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic said he supported the WTA boycott.
"I fully support the position of the WTA because we do not have enough information about Peng Shuai and his well-being," said Djokovic in Madrid after a Davis Cup tie.
"It is the life of a tennis player that is in question here, so we, as a tennis community, have to be together."
Tennis great Martina Navratilova called the WTA move a "brave stance", asking "what do you say @IOC? #COI - so far I can barely hear you !!! #WhereisPengShuai"
This is a brave stance by Steve Simon and the WTA where we put principle above $ and stand up for women everywhere and particularly for Peng Shuai.
Now - what say you, @IOC?!?
#IOC - so far I can barely hear you !!! # WhereisPengShuai https://t.co/X7tNDbs3Uu
- Martina Navratilova (@Martina) December 1, 2021
Meanwhile, WTA founder and 12 Grand Slam singles winner Billie Jean King said the organization was on "the right side of history in supporting our players," adding that she applauded Simon and the WTA. for "taking a firm stand in defense of human rights in China and around the world."
I applaud Steve Simon & the @WTA leadership for taking a strong stand on defending human rights in China & around the world.
The WTA is on the right side of history in supporting our players.
This is another reason why women's tennis is the leader in women's sports.
https://t.co/PHiU0S7Prw
- Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 1, 2021
Zhang keeps a low profile and has disappeared from public life since his retirement in 2018, and there is no public information regarding his current whereabouts.
Before retiring as deputy prime minister, Zhang was the head of a Chinese government task force for the Beijing Games.
In that position, he inspected the venues, visited the athletes, unveiled the official emblems and held meetings to coordinate the preparation work.
Zhang previously met with IOC President Bach on at least one occasion, and the two were photographed together shaking hands in the Chinese capital in 2016.
CNN's Aleks Klosk contributed to this report.
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