Missing Chinese tennis star tells Olympic Committee she’s safe and well

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that missing Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai confirmed to them that she is safe and well in a video call. 

In a statement Sunday, the committee confirmed that Peng had a 30-minute conversation with IOC President Thomas Bach, the IOC Athletes’ Commission president Emma Terho and committee member Li Lingwei. 

In a video call, Peng thanked the committee for their concern about her well-being, saying she is currently living in Beijing and asking the committee for her privacy at this time.

The committee said that Peng accepted a dinner invitation with the Olympic officials when IOC President Thomas Bach visits Beijing in January.

Today, IOC President Thomas Bach, the Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Emma Terho @ELaaksonen3, and IOC Member in China Li Lingwei held a video call with three-time Olympian Peng Shuai from China. cc/ @Athlete365 https://t.co/8at0ZMrozS

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) November 21, 2021

“I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern. She appeared to be relaxed. I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated,” Tehro said in the statement. 

Peng, a former No.1 player in the world, was reported missing after writing in a now-deleted social media post earlier this month accusing the former vice president Zhang Gaoli of forcing her to have sex with him despite repeated refusals following a round of tennis. 

The U.S., Great Britain, and France have called on China to provide proof of Peng’s whereabouts, according to Reuters. 

Tennis stars including Serena Williams, Noami Osaka, Bille Jean King, and Novak Djokovic have also used their platforms to call on the whereabouts of Peng, Reuters reported. 

Global Times Editor-in-Chief Hu Xijin posted to Twitter Sunday showing Peng visiting a restaurant in Beijing with family and friends. 

“I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant. The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time,” Xijin said in his post. 

I acquired two video clips, which show Peng Shuai was having dinner with her coach and friends in a restaurant. The video content clearly shows they are shot on Saturday Beijing time. pic.twitter.com/HxuwB5TfBk

— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) November 20, 2021