The Olympic instance is accused of “complicity” with the Chinese authorities to muzzle the word of Peng Shuai, who has accused sexual assault the former Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was engaged in a new equilibrist maneuver facing the host country of the next winter Olympics in February. In a News Release published Thursday, December 2 , the proceeding announced to have again maintained Wednesday with the Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, and tries to answer the accusations of convenience with China to muzzle the word Peng Shuai, so the emergence of a Chinese #metoo.
The fate of the 35-year-old player has become an international affair after it published in early November on social networks a message in which she accused sexual assault the former vice-prime minister Chinese Zhang Gaoli.
“We share the same concern as many other people and organizations about Peng Shuai’s well-being and security”, but “we opted for a very human and person-centered approach”, pleads In the Olympic instance, which has not made public recording or image of this maintenance.
Regular contact with the player
If the boss of the Olympism, Thomas Bach, had obtained ten days ago the first contact of a foreign interlocutor with the player, it is “a team of the IOC” which led this second videoconference “d half an hour “, during which the player” seemed to be safe and go well, given the difficult situation where it is “.
“We offered him very broad support, we will stay in regular contact with her, and have already set a personal meeting in January” considered at the first interview with Mr. Bach, says the organization based in Lausanne.
As in its previous communications on the subject, the IOC made no reference to the accusations of sexual assault formulated in early November by Peng Shuai against a former Chinese senior, and did not claim Lightening on this point or warranty on the full freedom of movement of the player.
Houseager Beijing before the winter Olympics
This discretion, widely perceived as a desire to house the host of the next Beijing Winter Games (from 4 to 20 February 2022), contrast with virulent positions of many tennis stars and the decision announced Wednesday By WTA, which manages the tennis female circuit, to suspend tournaments in China.
“There are different ways to ensure its well-being and security. We have adopted a very human and person-centered approach to address its situation,” the IOC is justified, defending direct contact with Chinese power: “As it is a triple participant in the Games, the IOC approaches these concerns directly with Chinese sports organizations.” “We use discreet diplomacy which, given the circumstances and experience Governments and other organizations, is considered the most promising way to act effectively in this type of humanitarian business, “pleaded the organization.