As the WTA continues is strong stance on China with its suspension of all events in the region, the IOC has continued to favour what it calls “quiet diplomacy” to reach a resolution for Peng Shuai. 

The IOC have taken steps forward by their approach. They are the only organisation outside of China to have directly contacted Peng Shuai.

Communication has come in the form of two video calls conducted by IOC president Thomas Bach and other IOC members.

However, footage from neither call has been made publicly available, only still images of the interactions between Bach and Shuai.

“Everybody should be concentrating on the well-being of Peng Shuai and not trying to use this for any other purpose,” IOC member Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr said in press conference on Tuesday. 

“Don’t write it off the silent diplomacy, it’s a very powerful tool and we plan to stick to that,” he added.

When IOC spokesman Mark Adams was asked why Shuai has not spoken to anyone in the tennis world he was stumped.

“I really don’t know. Clearly, in these personal situations, it’s not up to me.

“Even if I did know, it woudln’t be up to me to give that answer at a public appearance like this in a press conference.”

Chinese officials are yet to acknowledge the accusations of sexual assault made by Shuai against former Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli on 2nd November.