The International Olympic Committee said it is arranging an in-person meeting with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai. The IOC said it spoke to Shuai over a video call on Wednesday to verify her safety. The head of the Women’s Tennis Association was not convinced and said he was suspending all tournaments in the country’s mainland and Hong Kong because some things are “bigger than money.”
Shuai was not seen in public for three weeks after making sexual assault allegations last month against a former senior Chinese Communist Party official.
“We share the same concern as many other people and organisations about the well-being and safety of Peng Shuai,” the IOC said in a statement.
The IOC offered its support to Shuai and expressed plans to stay in touch.
The decision by the U.S.-based WTA to not participate in one of its biggest markets was applauded by many leading figures in the tennis world, though it could cost it millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship revenue.
“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,” WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said.