‘I’m really puzzled by that’ – IOC member dismisses Peng Shuai concerns
The public need not continue to be worried for Peng Shuai following her video call with Thomas Bach according to this IOC official.
The IOC were the first to finally establish communication directly with Peng Shuai in a video call between her and IOC president Thomas Bach.
But the WTA and other organisations are still concerned for Shuai’s wellbeing and want to ensure her accusations of sexual assault against former Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli are heard.
In response to criticism of the IOC from the multiple organisations about the unsatisfactory nature of the call, IOC member Dick Pound expressed his confusion.
“I must say I’m really puzzled by that assessment of it,” Pound told Christiane Amanpour on CNN.
“Lots of people around the world were looking to see what happened to Peng Shuai.
“Nobody was able to establish contact. Only the IOC was able to do so, and there was a conversation that was held by video with Thomas Bach and two female IOC members.
“Nobody has released the video because that aspect of it was private. But they found her in good health and in good spirits.”
Amanpour relayed the view of many that the IOC should release the video call to answer further questions about her situation.
“[Those on the call] saw no evidence of confinement or anything like that,” Pound continued.
“She just wanted to spend some time with family and friends. And [Bach told Shuai] ‘I’ll be in Beijing in a month or two, let’s get together and have lunch or something and continue our conversation.’
“So, if you’re really concerned about Peng Shuai, you’ve got some good news.”
Bach will be in Beijing in the lead up to the 2022 Winter Olympics, set to get underway in the Chinese capital from 4th February 2022.
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