The Women's Tennis Association has announced the suspension of its tournaments in China over concern for the well being of Peng Shuai a former world doubles number 1. Peng Shuai in early November posted a message on Weibo (China's Twitter) accusing a former vice premier of sexually abusing her. Her post was quickly removed and all mentions of Peng Shuai and her accusations were censored by the government. After several posts from Chinese state media were released as means of quelling the controversy the WTA, other tennis players, the media and world governments questioned the authenticity of the posts as looked they looked completely contrived.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced the suspension of all tournaments in China amid concerns about the safety of the Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, following weeks of a high-profile row with Beijing over the player’s wellbeing.
“With the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong,” said the WTA chairman, Steve Simon, announcing the decision in a statement on Wednesday.
“In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault. Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.”
Early last month , 35-year-old Peng, a former doubles world No 1, used a post on Chinese social media website, Weibo to accuse 75-year-old Zhang Gaoli, a former Chinese vice-premier, of having coerced her into sex . Her lengthy post was quickly deleted by the censors, and Peng disappeared from public for more than two weeks as the WTA and colleagues said they were unable to reach her.
Too bad the NBA, FIFA, The IOC and the Premier League can't find the courage to stand up to the bullying of the Chinese government.
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