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tennis
Feng Shui's conversation with the president of the Olympic Committee only heightened the suspicions
Thomas Bach spoke with the tennis player to dismiss the claim that she "disappeared", but did not say what her condition was, there was no reference to the affair, and of course in the background Chinese pressure ahead of the Winter Olympics and claims: "
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Feng Shui
Thomas Bach
Olympic Committee
China
Walla!
sport
Monday, 22 November 2021, 15:00 Updated: 15:10
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Following reports of her disappearance: China releases video of tennis fan Feng Shui stamping on fans (Reuters)
After disappearing from the public eye for almost three weeks, Chinese tennis player Feng Shui appeared yesterday (Sunday) in a video call with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. The Olympic Committee and the Chinese government would like the "conversation" between the two to put an end to the international saga, which has been going on since November 2, after the Chinese tennis player accused former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Geuli of sexual assault. But this is very far from reality.
The conversation between Bach and Feng provided very little detail, had no reference to her claims, and thus raised even more doubts and questions regarding the Olympic Committee, Feng and China.
This of course did not satisfy Steve Simon, the chairman and CEO of the WTA, the Women's Tennis Association, who was blunt in criticizing China all along and threatened to cancel all WTA events and tournaments held in China.
This is a significant boycott, which entails image and economic damage.
And so, even after the Olympic Committee's video was released yesterday, the WTA repeated what Simon had been saying for more than a week, calling for a full, fair and transparent investigation "without censorship."
More on Walla!
Thomas Bach spoke to Feng Shui in the video: "She said she was fine"
To the full article
Nothing manages to dispel the apprehension and suspicion.
Shawi (Photo: GettyImages, Zhong Zhi)
According to the Olympic Committee, Feng had a 30-minute conversation with Bach, and he said in a statement that she was "safe and healthy, lives in her home in Beijing, but wants her privacy to be respected at this point."
The Olympic Committee claimed that Bach had invited Feng (a former world number 1 doubles player, including three appearances at the Olympics) to dinner when he arrived in the city to oversee the controversial Winter Olympics in Beijing, which opens on February 4.
And now not only is the Olympic Committee embroiled in this scandal, but it has also come under heavy criticism for stubbornly supporting the Olympics, despite crimes against humanity taking place in China against Muslims, Tibetans and other minorities.
Chinese human rights watchdog Yakiyu Wang tweeted that the Olympic Committee is now actively cooperating "and actively playing an active role in the disappearance of Feng, and the coercion and propaganda of the Chinese government."
More on Walla!
China continues to post pictures of feng shui, the tennis world is still dubious
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A photo of her in a restaurant, where there is also no reference to the affair (Photo: Reuters)
Arrived at Trunier in Beijing, where she said nothing (Photo: Reuters)
Fears over Feng's fate have drawn reactions around the world, with the hashtag WhereIsPengShuai starring in social media last week - which put pressure on China, even if in practice the news of the affair and its accusations in China are silenced and censored.
CNN, for example, reported that its broadcasts in China were blocked during a Feng report.
A search for her name on Weibo, one of China's leading social media platforms, has spawned only a few posts about her, nor do they address her claim of sexual assault or questions about her whereabouts.
The China Open tournament posted a picture of itself in the hall during the youth tournament yesterday but did not mention it on the official website.
Also, Zhang is still gone.
He left public life about three years ago after being one of the seven members of the Politburo committee - which holds the main political power in China.
The effort to silence Feng reflects the determination of the ruling Communist Party to suppress any criticism of its leaders.
More on Walla!
That you will not end up like Calderon: the athletes who disappeared and were never found
To the full article
The main thing is to be quiet, and the money will keep coming in.
Bach (Photo: GettyImages)
Feng accused Zhang of sexually assaulting on social media in China, claiming she had an affair with the Chinese official.
She wrote in the post: "I know you, Deputy Minister Zhang Geuli, are a man of high status and power, and you said you are not afraid. With your intelligence, you will surely deny it or you can even use it against me. You can get rid of it effortlessly. "Even if I hurt myself, like throwing an egg on a rock, or a moth flying in a flame, I'll still tell the truth about us."
The Olympic Committee can claim that "silent diplomacy" worked, but in fact it gave China a way out to restore its image and get out of the affair.
As stated, the claim is that it has made the Olympic Committee an active partner in conveying the message of Beijing, without requiring an honest and open interview with Feng on its claims.
The Olympic Committee generates 91 percent of its revenue from sponsorships and the sale of broadcasting rights, and is aware of the power of the Chinese market.
The WTA is also based on sponsors, but is still the first sports body to stand firm in the face of China's financial power, in stark contrast to the Olympic Committee, which claims it does not have the power to interfere in China's domestic policy.
"The statements cause the Olympic Committee to be a partner in the malicious propaganda of the Chinese government and the violation of basic human rights and justice," Global Athlete, a lobbying body for athletes, said. "Feng and in refusing to mention her serious allegations of sexual assault, Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and other members of the committee show abhorrent indifference to sexual violence and the well-being of female athletes."
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