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All WTA tournaments have been suspended in China over considerations for the security of participant Peng Shuai.
The pinnacle of the Girls’s Tennis Affiliation (WTA) stated it was taking the step after Peng, a Grand Slam doubles champion, accused a former high-ranking authorities official in China of sexual assault.
Peng dropped out of public view after elevating the allegations about former vice premier Zhang Gaoli in a social media posting that was shortly taken down by Chinese language authorities.
“Sadly, the management in China has not addressed this very critical subject in any credible manner,” WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon wrote in a press release distributed by the tour.
“Whereas we now know the place Peng is, I’ve critical doubts that she is free, protected, and never topic to censorship, coercion, and intimidation.”
Mr Simon repeated his name for a “full and clear investigation – with out censorship” into Peng’s accusations and took an unusually sturdy stand in opposition to China, which was purported to be the positioning of a number of tennis tournaments subsequent 12 months, together with the distinguished season-ending WTA Finals.
“In good conscience, I do not see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai just isn’t allowed to speak freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault,” he stated.
“Given the present state of affairs, I’m additionally significantly involved concerning the dangers that every one of our gamers and workers may face if we have been to carry occasions in China in 2022.”
Beijing is about to host the Winter Olympics starting on 4 February, and Worldwide Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach stated final month that he had spoken with Peng on a video name.
The IOC didn’t launch video or a transcript of the trade and stated solely that Bach reported she stated she was properly.
The organisation stated in a press release that Peng seemed to be “doing effective” and that she had requested privateness.
The IOC didn’t clarify how the decision was organized, though it has labored carefully with the Chinese language Olympic Committee and authorities officers to organise the upcoming Olympics.
Critics have steered Peng wouldn’t have referred to as the IOC if she was really free to talk.
“If highly effective individuals can suppress the voices of ladies and sweep allegations of sexual assault beneath the rug, then the premise on which the WTA was based – equality for ladies – would endure an immense setback,” Mr Simon stated.
“I can’t and can’t let that occur to the WTA and its gamers.”
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