” Worry “ the fate of Chinese tennis champion Peng Shuai, the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pleaded this Saturday, November 20 for a “Quiet diplomacy”, as the silence of the Olympic organization contrasts with growing public pressure targeting Beijing.
“With the global athlete community”, the body representing athletes within the IOC “Is very concerned about the situation of three-time Olympian Peng Shuai”, tweeted on Saturday afternoon the former Finnish hockey player Emma Terho, president of the athletes’ commission.
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“We support the quiet diplomacy approach that is adopted and hope that it will lead to the disclosure of information about Peng Shuai’s fate and the confirmation of his safety and well-being.”, she continued, saying she also hoped “That a way would be found for a direct exchange between her and her fellow athletes”.
This press release supports the approach adopted Thursday by the IOC, which went largely unnoticed in the concert of statements, from the sports world to the White House, including the UN and the Quai d’Orsay, calling for shedding light on the disappearance. of the Chinese player.
Mysterious photos of Peng Shuai appear on Twitter
Refusal to offend China?
In a short statement, a spokesperson for the Olympic body declined to comment on Peng Shuai’s fate, on the grounds that “Experience shows that discreet diplomacy offers the best chance of finding a solution to questions of this nature”.
Refusal to offend China within three months of the Beijing Winter Olympics (February 4-20, 2022), already strongly criticized in the field of human rights? Do you want to act behind the scenes to help the 35-year-old player, without upsetting the Chinese regime by public pressure deemed counterproductive?
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The IOC, whose silence was judged “Embarrassing” Friday by French tennis player Nicolas Mahut, said “Appreciate” Saturday “The concerns expressed by so many athletes and national Olympic committees”.
“We also welcome the support of the IOC Athletes’ Commission for our low-key diplomatic approach. This approach means that we will continue our open dialogue, at all levels, with the Olympic movement in China ”, said the organization.
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Where is Peng Shuai? What we know about the mysterious disappearance of the Chinese tennis champion
