‘I can barely hear you!’ – Martina Navratilova calls out IOC on Peng Shuai
Martina Navratilova called on the IOC to be stronger in their involvement with the Peng Shuai situation and praised the WTA’s “brave” stance.
In the wake of unsatisfactory progression in ensuring the safety of Peng Shuai and that her message is heard, the WTA has suspended all events in China.
CEO Steve Simon made the announcement via a statement on the WTA website.
That statement included the message that Peng Shuai “had to be listened to and taken seriously” and that “The players of the WTA, not to mention women around the world, deserve nothing less.”
Now, tennis legend and 18-time singles Slam champion Navratilova has praised Simon and the WTA while simultaneously asking more from the IOC.
“This is a brave stance by Steve Simon and the WTA where we put principle above money and stand up for women everywhere and particularly for Peng Shuai,” Navratilova said in a retweet of the WTA announcement.
“Now, what say you IOC? So far I can barely hear you!” She then ended the tweet with the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.
This is a brave stance by Steve Simon and the WTA where we put principle above $ and stand up for women everywhere and particularly for Peng Shuai.
Now – what say you, @IOC ?!? #IOC – so far I can barely hear you!!!#WhereisPengShuai https://t.co/X7tNDbs3Uu— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) December 1, 2021
The IOC has opted for “quiet diplomacy” ever since Shuai disappeared on 2nd November.
Neither video call has been made public, but the IOC remains the only organisation that has been able to make direct contact with Shuai.
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