Peng Shuai reappears and speaks with IOC, but questions remain

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, in a singles match in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, January 21, 2020 © AP - Andy Brownbill

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1 min

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach says he was able to meet this Sunday with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.

She had been missing since her sexual assault charges against a senior Chinese leader on November 2. 

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With our correspondent in Geneva,

The IOC press release is accompanied by a screenshot of the videoconference.

We see Peng Shuai all smiles in what appears to be his home.

During the conversation, the Chinese tennis star would have assured to be safe, at her home in Beijing, with her relatives.

Her silence is said to be due to the fact that she wants her privacy to be respected.

According to the Olympic body, the 35-year-old player, former world number one in doubles, wants to " 

 ".

The player appeared relaxed, said Emma Terho, a member of the Athletes' Commission, who offered to keep in touch.

The videoconference also brought together the Chinese Li Lingwei, member of the Olympic Committee.

For the rest, we know nothing.

Silence in question

Why, for example, have remained silent since November 2 and his message accusing former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault?

Is she free to move around?

Free to talk too?

The press release says nothing about it.

Peng Shuai is alive.

This seems to be confirmed.

But this is the only information revealed by the IOC.

Contacted, the international organization did not wish to say more for the moment.

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