Peng Shuai says allegation was ‘enormous misunderstanding’


PTI, Feb 7, 2022, 9:30 AM IST

Image credit: Reuters

Beijing: Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has told a French newspaper that international concern over her well-being is based on “an enormous misunderstanding” and she denied having accused a Chinese official of sexual assault.

L’Equipe, which specializes in sports news, published the interview Monday. The publication said it spoke to the tennis player a day earlier in a Beijing hotel in an hour-long interview organized through China’s Olympic committee.

Also Monday, the International Olympic Committee released a statement saying IOC President Thomas Bach had dinner with Peng on Saturday, and she attended the China-Norway curling match with IOC member Kirsty Coventry.

The newspaper said it had to submit questions in advance and that a Chinese Olympic committee official sat in on the discussion and translated her comments from Chinese.

The newspaper published her comments verbatim – which it said was another pre-condition for an interview – in question-and-answer form.

L’Equipe asked Peng about a post in November on her verified account on a leading Chinese social media platform, Weibo, which kicked off a storm of international concern about her.

In that post, Peng wrote that Zhang Gaoli, a former vice-premier and member of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee, had forced her to have sex despite repeated refusals. Her post also said they had sex once seven years ago and she had feelings for him after that.

Peng briefly disappeared from public view, then appeared at some promotional appearances arranged by the government. The interview with L’Equipe was her first sit-down discussion with non-Chinese media since the accusation.

But speaking to L’Equipe, Peng denied having accused Zhang of assault.

“Sexual assault? I never said that anyone made me submit to a sexual assault,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.

“This post resulted in an enormous misunderstanding from the outside world,” she also said. “My wish is that the meaning of this post no longer be skewed.” (AP)

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

BJP stages protest against Karnataka govt over Waqf properties row

Youth attempts suicide after being humiliated in public for wearing ripped jeans in Belthangady

India crawl to 51 for 4 after losing top-order

Nursing student suicide: Three students arrested in Kerala

Nadda’s letter to Kharge full of falsehoods: Cong

10 month baby gets new heart, new life

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Related Articles More

India crawl to 51 for 4 after losing top-order

Mohammed Shami ridicules Sanjay Manjrekar over comments on reduced IPL value

There’s potential for disruption in India camp with Rohit coming back in Adelaide: Ponting

We are not carrying baggage from New Zealand series: Bumrah

Argentina football team, featuring Lionel Messi, to play in Kerala next year

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

BJP stages protest against Karnataka govt over Waqf properties row

US charges against Adani, 7 others could lead to arrest warrants, extradition bid: attorney

Youth attempts suicide after being humiliated in public for wearing ripped jeans in Belthangady

Baku climate talks: The ‘X’ factor that could determine future of Global South

Kerala HC denies bail to police officer accused of ‘raping’ minor Dalit girl

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.