WTA Remains Concerned About Peng Shuai, Says Olympic Chief’s Call With Her Was Not Enough

The Women's Tennis Association said that the video call between the IOC President and the Chinese tennis star did not address their concerns about her safety, since she accused a powerful state official of sexually assault.

Shuai Peng of China plays a backhand during her Women's Singles first round match.

The images are from the same company.

In a statement issued on Monday, the WTA said it was good to see her in recent videos, but they don't address their concern about her "well-being and ability to communicate without censorship or coercion."

The WTA said that her video call did not change their stance on calling for a full, fair and transparent investigation into her sexual assault allegations.

The IOC issued a statement on Sunday saying that the president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, had held a 30-minute video call with the woman, who said she was safe at home in Beijing.

The chair of the IOC's athletes commission, Emma Terho, told the New York Times that she was relieved to see that Peng appeared safe and relaxed.

At a time when the IOC faces pressure from human rights groups who are calling for a boycott of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, the organization called with Peng.

At a time when the global body faces intense criticism about its failure to address a swathe of human rights issues with the Winter Olympics host, the International Olympic Committee is likely to invite further scrutiny. Last week, President Joe Biden said he was considering boycotting the games due to the same issue. The women's tennis authorities and several high profile players have come out and voiced their support for Peng, 35, despite the Olympic organizers reluctance to confront China on the issue. Steve Simon has been critical of the Chinese government over the past week and warned that they could leave China if the government doesn't change.

The video of Peng Shuai with Olympic officials is making a lot of noise.

The Chinese tennis player's call with the Olympic chief is not enough.