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The Ladies’s Tennis Affiliation has introduced the speedy suspension of all tournaments in China amid concern for Chinese language tennis participant Peng Shuai.
Peng, 35, disappeared from public view for 3 weeks after accusing a high Chinese language official of sexual assault.
WTA chief Steve Simon mentioned he had “severe doubts” that Peng was “free, secure and never topic to intimidation”.
“In good conscience, I do not see how I can ask our athletes to compete there,” he mentioned.
The WTA has repeatedly referred to as for a full investigation into Peng’s claims.
There was widespread concern for Peng after she accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
She mentioned she was “secure and nicely” throughout a video name with Thomas Bach, the president of the Worldwide Olympic Committee, in November.
Nonetheless, the WTA mentioned the video was “inadequate proof” of Peng’s security.
In a prolonged assertion, Simon mentioned he was “significantly involved” in regards to the dangers gamers and workers might face if occasions have been held in China in 2022.
“The management in China has not addressed this very severe challenge in any credible manner,” he mentioned.
“If highly effective folks can suppress the voices of girls and sweep allegations of sexual assault beneath the rug, then the premise on which the WTA was based – equality for girls – would undergo an immense setback.
“I can’t and can’t let that occur to the WTA and its gamers.”
The suspension additionally consists of tournaments in Hong Kong.
There have been no WTA occasions in China for the previous two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Nonetheless, the governing physique has closely relied on Chinese language funding in its tour in recent times, resulting in numerous profitable tournaments being held within the nation.
China hosted 9 tournaments within the 2019 season, together with the season-ending WTA Finals, with a complete of $30.4m (£22.6m) in prize cash.
Peng, a former world primary in doubles, wrote on Chinese language social media website Weibo that she was pressured right into a sexual relationship with Zhang.
The publish was taken down minutes later and Peng was not seen in public for a while.
A variety of tennis gamers used the hashtag #WhereisPengShuai on Twitter to attract consideration to the difficulty.
“I very a lot remorse it has come so far however China’s leaders have left the WTA with no selection,” Simon added.
“Except China takes the steps now we have requested for, we can’t put our gamers and workers in danger by holding occasions in China.
“I stay hopeful that our pleas shall be heard and the Chinese language authorities will take steps to legitimately deal with this challenge.”
China issued an announcement on October, stating “folks ought to cease intentionally and maliciously hyping [the issue] up, not to mention politicise this challenge”.
Zhang Gaoli, who retired from his authorities function in 2018, has but to deal with the claims.
The 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are set to be held in Beijing in February and March.
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