Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai first contacted after disappearing from public space in early November.
The athlete talked via video link with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach . Their conversation was joined by the head of the IOC Athletes' Commission Emma Terho.
The IOC press service notes that the conversation lasted 30 minutes. Peng first thanked the IOC for taking care of her well-being.
She explained that she is safe and fine, she lives in her home in Beijing, but would like her privacy to be respected. She said that right now she prefers to spend time with friends and family. However, she will continue to play tennis.
– I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai is doing well, which was our main concern. She seemed relaxed. I offered her our support and stay in touch at any time convenient for her, ”said Emma Terho.
At the end of the conversation, IOC President Bach invited Peng Shuai to dinner when he arrives in Beijing in January 2022, which she gladly accepted.
Disappearance of Peng Shuai
In early November, Peng Shuai on the Weibo social network accused the ex-Premier of the People's Republic of China Zhang Gaoli of forcing him to have sex. The athlete quickly removed this post, but since then she has not been in touch.
On November 17, the state channel published a letter from allegedly Peng Shuai, in which she denied her words about harassment. This letter has raised concerns about the safety of the tennis player.
