Winter Olympians champion climate, peace amid muted activism
Around the world, athletes are throwing their support behind political and social causes, part of a wave of sports activism that has flourished in the years since former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee during games to protest police brutality against Black people.
WTA remains "concerned' about Peng's ability to speak freely
The head of the Women's Tennis Association says he remains “deeply concerned” about the whereabouts of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai and her ability to “communicate freely, openly and directly” after allegations that a powerful politician forced her to have sex.
China says 'not aware' of tennis player Peng Shuai issue
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) (Michel Euler)BEIJING — (AP) — China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday stuck to its line that it wasn't aware of the controversy surrounding tennis professional Peng Shuai, who disappeared after accusing a former top official of sexually assaulting her. The 35-year-old former top ranked player in women’s doubles won titles at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014. The post was quickly deleted from her verified account on Weibo, a leading Chinese social media platform, but screenshots of the explosive accusation were shared on the internet. It was tweeted by CGTN, the international arm of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
wftv.comDoubts over China tennis star's email raise safety concerns
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. “I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her,” Simon wrote. Searches for Peng Shuai’s name on China's Sogou search engine turn up only articles about her tennis career. Peng wrote that Zhang’s wife guarded the door during the alleged assault, which followed a round of tennis. China has consistently denied any human rights abuses and says its actions are part of counterterrorism programs.
wftv.comState media release attributed to Peng raises WTA concerns
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. “I have a hard time believing that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email we received or believes what is being attributed to her,” Simon said. “Peng Shuai displayed incredible courage in describing an allegation of sexual assault against a former top official in the Chinese government. I have repeatedly tried to reach her via numerous forms of communications, to no avail.”Simon's statement, released by the WTA, continued: "Peng Shuai must be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source. She hasn't competed on tour since the Qatar Open in February 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced tennis to take a hiatus.
wftv.comShocked tennis star Osaka posts: Where is Peng Shuai?
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. Chinese authorities have squelched virtually all online discussion of sexual assault accusations apparently made by the Chinese professional tennis star against a former top government official, showing how sensitive the ruling Communist Party is to such charges. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) (Michel Euler)BEIJING — (AP) — Tennis star Naomi Osaka says she's been shocked to hear about a fellow player who has gone quiet since making a sexual assault allegation against a former top government official in China. 1-ranked, four-time major winner posted on social media on Wednesday to join those asking: where is Peng Shuai? Peng wrote in a lengthy social media post earlier this month that a former vice premier had forced her to have sex despite repeated refusals.
wftv.comWTA CEO calls for investigation of China assault allegation
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. Earlier this month, Peng Shuai, a former No. “Peng Shuai, and all women, deserve to be heard, not censored. Her accusation about the conduct of a former Chinese leader involving a sexual assault must be treated with the utmost seriousness. We commend Peng Shuai for her remarkable courage and strength in coming forward.
wftv.comTennis star accuses China ex-vice premier of sexual assault
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. Chinese authorities have squelched virtually all online discussion of sexual assault accusations apparently made by the Chinese professional tennis star against a former top government official, showing how sensitive the ruling Communist Party is to such charges. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) (Michel Euler)BEIJING — (AP) — Chinese authorities have squelched virtually all online discussion of sexual assault accusations apparently made by a Chinese professional tennis star against a former top government official, showing how sensitive the ruling Communist Party is to such charges. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of her post, which was made late Tuesday night by her verified account on Weibo, a leading Chinese social media platform. While social media has become ubiquitous in China, it remains firmly under party control.
wftv.comTennis, sex and politics combine in Chinese #MeToo scandal
China Metoo FILE - China's Shuai Peng plays a shot against Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. Chinese authorities have squelched virtually all online discussion of sexual assault accusations apparently made by the Chinese professional tennis star against a former top government official, showing how sensitive the ruling Communist Party is to such charges. Her post also said they had sex once seven years ago and she had feelings for him after that. The Associated Press could not verify the authenticity of her post, which was made late Tuesday night by her verified account on Weibo, a leading Chinese social media platform. While social media has become ubiquitous in China, it remains firmly under party control.
wftv.comTennis star accuses China ex-vice premier of sexual assault
Chinese authorities have squelched virtually all online discussion of sexual assault accusations apparently made by a Chinese professional tennis star against a former top government official, showing how sensitive the ruling Communist Party is to such charges.