The European Union on Tuesday mentioned it needs China to launch “verifiable proof” that Peng is protected and to conduct a radical and clear investigation into her sexual assault allegations towards former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.
One of China’s most recognizable sports activities stars, Peng publicly accused Zhang of coercing her into intercourse at his dwelling, in keeping with screenshots of a since-deleted social media publish dated November 2.
Following the accusation, Peng disappeared from public view, prompting a number of fellow tennis gamers to precise fear on social media, utilizing the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.
On November 21, the IOC mentioned in a press release that its president, Thomas Bach, had a 30-minute video name with three-time Olympian Peng, joined by a Chinese sports activities official and an IOC official.
The assertion mentioned that, through the name, Peng seemed to be “doing tremendous” and was “relaxed,” saying she “want to have her privateness revered.” The IOC didn’t clarify how the video name with Peng had been organized and has not made the video publicly out there.
The European Union has commented that Peng’s “latest public reappearance doesn’t ease considerations about her security and freedom.”
When requested on how he can ever make certain Peng Shuai’s appearances aren’t staged, Pound, who has not seen footage of the decision, advised CNN’s Erin Burnett: “There are numerous international locations the place you’ll be able to’t simply depart the nation. I feel plenty of that’s hypothesis.”
Speaking of these on the decision, he mentioned: “What we’ve got is difficult proof as we will have and really feel. These are individuals who have handled athletes and handled strain.
“They can inform whether or not any person is behaving below duress or not.
“Their unanimous conclusion was that she was tremendous. And she simply requested that her privateness be revered in the intervening time,” he mentioned.
Pound beforehand advised CNN’s Christiane Amanpour he was “puzzled” by the response to a video name between Peng and IOC President Bach.
He mentioned that the IOC’s evaluation of Shuai was “the very best proof we’ve got in the mean time.”
“I might depend on the mixed judgment of colleagues,” Pound mentioned, including that it was “a dialog between 4 Olympians,” and that his colleagues would have seen if the dialog wasn’t “relaxed.”
Human Rights Watch China Director Sophie Richardson denounced the IOC’s position in collaborating with Chinese authorities on Peng’s reappearance, whereas the top of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Steve Simon, mentioned the IOC’s intervention is inadequate to allay considerations about Peng’s security.
Peng’s case has additionally raised troublesome diplomatic questions for China, which can host the 2022 Winter Olympics between February 4 and 20.
Late final month, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned that the federal government hoped “malicious hypothesis” concerning Peng’s well-being and whereabouts would cease, including that her case shouldn’t be politicized.
Chinese authorities haven’t acknowledged Peng’s allegations towards Zhang, and there’s no indication an investigation is underway. It stays unclear if Peng has reported her allegations to the police.
Zhang has stored a low profile and pale from public life since his retirement in 2018, and there’s no public data referring to his present whereabouts.
Before retiring as vice premier, Zhang was the top of a Chinese authorities working group for the Beijing Games. In the position, he inspected venues, visited athletes, unveiled official emblems and held conferences to coordinate preparation work.
Zhang beforehand met with IOC President Bach on at the very least one event, with the 2 being photographed collectively shaking palms within the Chinese capital in 2016.