Resounding decision by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), the association that brings together professional tennis players from all over the world, which has decided to "suspend all tournaments in China" following the case of tennis player Peng Shuai.
The story of the 35-year-old Chinese tennis player, former world number one in women's doubles, has been at the center of controversy and concerns at an international level after her disappearance from the public scene for weeks, following a complaint via social media of sexual abuse by the former Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli, 40 years her senior, with whom she had a relationship.
The WTA had already said it was dissatisfied with the reassurances received from Beijing, including Peng's videoconference with the president of the International Olympic Committee (CIO), Thomas Bach.
"Even though we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation," said the WTA website in a statement from CEO Steve Simon.
“If powerful people can suppress women's voices and hide allegations of sexual assault under the carpet, then the foundation on which the WTA was founded - equality for women - would suffer an immense setback. I do not want and cannot allow this to happen ”, the press release reads again.
Of which the decision, taken with the "full support of the Board of Directors" to suspend "immediately" all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. "I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely."
“Unless China takes the required measures, we cannot put our tennis players and staff at risk by organizing events in China. Chinese leaders have left the WTA with no choice ”, is the conclusion. "I continue to hope that our requests will be heeded and that the Chinese authorities will take steps to legitimately address this problem."
(Unioneonline / L)
