WTA announces immediate suspension of tournaments in China because of Peng Shuai
Peng, 35, disappeared from public view for three weeks after accusing a top Chinese official of sexual assault. WTA chief Steve Simon said he had "serious doubts" that Peng was "free, safe and not subject to intimidation".
"In good conscience, I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there," he said. The WTA has repeatedly called for a full investigation into Peng's claims. There was a widespread concern for Peng after she accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
In November, she said she was "safe and well" during a video call with Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee. However, the WTA said the video was "insufficient evidence" of Peng's safety.
In a lengthy statement, Simon said he was "greatly concerned" about the risks players and staff could face if events were held in China in 2022."The leadership in China has not addressed this severe issue in any credible way," he said.
"If influential people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded - equality for women - would suffer an immense setback.
"I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players."Former world number one and WTA founder Billie Jean King praised the organisation for taking a strong stand."This is another reason why women's tennis is the leader in women's sports," King wrote on Twitter.
"The WTA is on the right side of history in supporting our players."A number of players, including two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and US Open quarter-finalist Shelby Rogers, tweeted their support for the WTA's decision.
Julian Knight MP, who chairs the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said he welcomed the stance, adding: "If only other sports showed this solidarity and moral clarity."
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