China typically hosts about 10 women’s tennis tournaments each year, including the coveted season-ending WTA Finals.
In the most stringent public stance taken by a sports body against China, the head of the women’s professional tennis tour on Wednesday announced that all WTA tournaments will be suspended because of concerns. protection of peng shui, a Grand Slam doubles champion who accused a former government official of sexual harassment.
Peng stepped out of public view after making allegations about former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli in a November 2 social media posting, which were quickly removed by Chinese officials.
“Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this serious issue in any credible manner,” WTA President and CEO Steve Simon wrote in a statement distributed by the tour. “While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that he is free, secure, and not subject to censorship, coercion, and intimidation.”
Mr Simon repeatedly called on what he termed on Wednesday as a “complete and transparent investigation – without censorship” of Peng’s allegations. He said the move to halt his touring games in China, including Hong Kong, came “with the full support of the WTA Board of Directors”.
“In good conscience, I do not see how I can ask my athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has been pressured to deny the allegation of sexual harassment. ,” said Mr. Simon. “Given the current situation, I am also very concerned about the risks that all our players and staff may face if we hold events in China in 2022.”
China typically hosts about 10 women’s tennis tournaments every year, including the coveted season-ending WTA Finals, which are scheduled to be held there for a decade. The nation is the source of billions of dollars in income for various sporting entities based elsewhere, including the WTA (headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida), the NBA (out of New York), and the International Olympic Committee (Lausanne, Switzerland). ,
“I commend Steve Simon and the WTA leadership for taking a strong stand to defend human rights in China and around the world,” said International Tennis Hall of Fame member and women’s tennis pioneer Billie Jean King. The right side of history in defense of the rights of our players. It’s another reason women’s tennis is a leader in women’s sports.”
The US Tennis Association lauded Mr Simon and the WTA, tweeting a statement that read: “This type of leadership is courageous and what is needed to ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected and the voices of all.” Be heard.”
International Tennis Federation spokeswoman Heather Bowler said the ITF board would meet on Thursday to discuss the matter.
“The WTA has been firm and true to its values from the start and we understand their decision. We will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the bowler said.
Beijing is set to host the Winter Games starting February 4, and IOC President Thomas Bach said on November 21 that he spoke with Peng – a three-time Olympian – over a 30-minute video call. The IOC did not release a video or transcript of the exchange and only said that Bach said he was fine.
The IOC said in a statement that Peng was “doing well” and added that he had requested confidentiality. The IOC did not say how the call was arranged, although it has worked closely with the Chinese Olympic Committee and government officials to organize the upcoming Games.
Critics have suggested that Peng would not have called the IOC if she had indeed been free to speak.
The European Union said on Tuesday it wants China to present “verifiable evidence” that Peng – a 35-year-old who ranked No. 1 in doubles and won titles at Wimbledon and the French Open – is safe.
“His recent public appearance does not reduce concerns about his safety and independence,” an EU spokesman said.
Many Chinese businessmen, activists and ordinary people have disappeared in recent years after criticizing ruling Communist Party figures or cracking down on corruption or pro-democracy and labor rights campaigns.
Peng, in his since-deleted post, wrote partly: “I know that Deputy Minister Zhang Gaoli, a man of high status and power, has said you are not afraid. With your wisdom you will certainly deny it Or you can even use it against me, you can dismiss it regardless. Even if I am destroying myself, like throwing an egg against a rock, or a worm flying into a flame, I will still speak the truth about us.
Concerns grew about her post being censored and then disappearing from public view, turning #WhereIsPengShuai into a trending topic on social media and featuring tennis stars such as Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Martina. received support. Navratilova.
But reports of the first #MeToo case to reach the political realm in China have not been reported by domestic media and its online discussion is highly censored.
“If powerful people can stifle women’s voices and press charges of sexual harassment down the rug, the premise on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – will be dealt a major blow,” said Mr. Simon. said. “I will not and will not allow this to happen to the WTA and its players.”
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