The story of the disappearance of the Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai developed. The former first racket of the world in doubles got in touch and spoke with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach. The conversation took place almost three weeks after the athlete accused the former vice-premier of the country Zhang Gaoli of sexual abuse and extramarital affairs with her, after which she temporarily disappeared from the information field.

The question of what is happening to Peng Shuai and whether she is safe has been discussed by the tennis community over the past week.

After the speech of the head of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Steve Simon, who demanded an investigation of the allegations, a large-scale campaign began in support of the 35-year-old athlete.

Many of the world's leading players posted a photo of her on their social networks asking “Where is Peng Shuai?”, And Frenchman Nicolas Mayu even wrote it on camera after winning the ATP Final Tournament in doubles.

Some things are bigger than winning trophies.

@ nmahut @ p2hugz # NittoATPFinalspic.twitter.com / DtyDUD13f5

- Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 21, 2021

Many tennis players actively spoke out about the incident and demanded more active actions on the part of organizations that could influence the situation.

The same Mayu called on the IOC to pay attention to the problem and recalled that the next Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing.

On November 17, Peng Shuai's case underwent a new development.

China's state-run television station CGTN released the text of an email stating that it was written by a tennis player.

It contains an appeal to Simon and a statement that the news of her disappearance does not correspond to reality, as well as a refutation of the accusations against Zhang Gaoli.

Simon himself had doubts about the authenticity of the letter.

He stated that the text of the publication only exacerbated concerns about Peng Shuai.

The head of the WTA demanded other evidence that everything was fine with the athlete, and noted that he himself could not contact her.

Later, in a conversation with CNN, he made it clear that he was ready to withdraw his organization from China, where many tournaments are held, if his requirements are not met.

Gradually, the scandal around the Chinese tennis player began to go beyond the tennis and sports worlds.

A call to investigate Peng Shuai's allegations and provide evidence of her safety was made by the press secretary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Liz Trossell.

The IOC, however, said they were in touch with the International Tennis Federation, which took control of the situation.

After the letter published by CGTN, new evidence began to emerge on the Internet that Peng Shuai was at large and minding his own business.

So, journalist Shen Shiwei posted home photos of an athlete surrounded by stuffed toys, and Hu Xijin, editor of the Chinese newspaper The Global Times, published a video in which Peng Shuai is having lunch at a restaurant with his coach and friends.

Peng Shuai's WeChat moments just posted three latest photos and said “Happy weekend”.


Her friend shared the three photos and the screenshot of Peng's WeChat moments.

pic.twitter.com/tut8CEH6gu

- Shen Shiwei 沈 诗 伟 (@shen_shiwei) November 19, 2021

Finally, reports emerged over the weekend that Peng Shuai attended a junior tennis tournament in Beijing where she gave a master class and signed autographs to children.

This moment was also captured on video and posted on the Internet.

Peng Shuai autographs balls for the kids at the opening ceremony of Junior Tennis Challenger Finals in Beijing.

pic.twitter.com/uPVxlNK1cQ

- Shen Shiwei 沈 诗 伟 (@shen_shiwei) November 21, 2021

On the evening of November 21, the public was reassured by the International Olympic Committee. The President of the organization, Thomas Bach, together with the Chairman of the Athletes' Commission Emma Terho and the IOC member from China Li Lingwei, talked to Peng Shuai via video link. The conversation with her lasted half an hour. According to a publication on the IOC website, during the conversation, the tennis player thanked for her caring attitude towards herself, asked to respect her privacy and assured that she was safe in her home in Beijing. Finally, Bach invited Peng Shuai to meet for dinner in January 2022 when he visited the capital of China, and she agreed.

“I was relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing well - that worried us the most.

She looked relaxed.

I offered her our support and stay in touch at any time convenient for her, which she obviously appreciated, ”said Terho.

At the same time, from the message published by the IOC press service, it is impossible to understand whether the topic of sexual violence, which became the reason for the whole story, was discussed.

Commenting on the conversation between Peng and Bach, the WTA expressed satisfaction that the athlete is not in danger, but again demanded to deal with the voiced accusations against Zhang Gaoli and conduct an independent investigation.

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 / @ Athlete365https: //t.co/8at0ZMrozS

- IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) November 21, 2021

After that, the story of Peng Shuai was commented on by the Chinese authorities.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that the issue of the tennis player's disappearance should be closed, since she has repeatedly appeared in public.

“This question does not concern foreign policy.

I am sure you also noted that she recently took part in public events, ”Zhao TASS quoted as saying.