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Amidst international attention on his condition, Chinese state media on Thursday suddenly released email said Peng has written to the Women’s Tennis Association Chairman Steve Simon.
The letter, whose authenticity cannot be verified, said Peng was resting at home and never authorized the “untrue” statement to be posted on Weibo.
But in a statement on Thursday, Simon said Peng’s so-called letter only made him fear for his safety.
“I find it hard to believe that Peng Shuai actually wrote the email he received or to believe what he said,” he said.
He called for “independent and verifiable evidence” of her safety and a full investigation into her claims.
“Peng Shuai should be allowed to speak freely, without coercion or intimidation from any source,” Simon said. “Her allegations of sexual assault must be respected, investigated transparently and without censorship.”
Simon told CNN that the WTA is prepared to no longer do business with China, and thus lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, if Peng is not accounted for.
“It’s bigger than business,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Women’s Sports Foundation, a US non-profit founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King, told BuzzFeed News that she supports the WTA’s position.
“We are deeply saddened and saddened by Peng Shuai’s disappearance and allegations of sexual assault,” the spokesperson said. “We support the WTA’s demand for verifiable evidence of her safety and for the allegations to be respected and investigated transparently.”
But the letter was apparently enough for the International Olympic Committee, which was mostly quiet because of its third Olympic loss.
“We have seen the latest reports and are backed by assurances that they are safe,” an IOC spokesman said Thursday.
The statement was criticized as disrespectful by Western media and non-governmental organizations.
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