Support for Peng Shuai
The Women’s Tennis Association’s decision to suspend all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong, in response to the Chinese government’s suspicious treatment of tennis star Peng Shuai will cost the organization tens of millions of dollars. But that, according to the chief executive of the professional tennis tour, doesn’t matter.
“This is a decision about what’s right and wrong,” said Steve Simon. “It’s not a decision that can be influenced by business or the dollars or the politics that may be associated with it.”
Hooray for such a rare stand on principle that contrasts with the obsequious behavior of the sports organizations and businesses that have bowed to China’s authoritarian government. WTA’s recent decision to boycott China came after the organization was unable to speak directly with Peng, a Grand Slam doubles champion and three-time Olympian whose disappearance from public life has prompted worldwide concern.
The 35-year-old tennis star last month posted online a heartbreaking account alleging that a high-ranking Communist Party official sexually assaulted her. The Chinese government quickly deleted her allegations from social media, and she disappeared from public view.
After international outcry, unverified photos and videos emerged purporting to show Peng happily going about her life in Beijing, all from people working for the Chinese-government-controlled media and state sport system. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it conducted two video calls with Peng and claimed she said she was safe. The IOC released no videos or transcripts.
The WTA understandably questions whether the Chinese government has allowed Peng to speak freely. Assurances from the IOC are meaningless. Never a pillar of integrity, the IOC has a vested interest in ensuring nothing interferes with the Winter Olympics set for February in Beijing.
What is needed, as the WTA has demanded, is the ability to talk to Peng without government interference, plus a full, independent investigation into her accusations of sexual assault. “If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug,” Simon said, “then the basis on which the WTA was founded—equality for women— would suffer an immense setback.”
Peng’s story should shame those inside and outside the sports world who continue to shake hands with the Chinese government, under the cynical calculation that access to the country justifies severe moral compromise. We hope the WTO’s example encourages sports organizations, businesses and others who profess to care about human rights to reconsider what they are associated with.