Olympics boss Thomas Bach claims he will meet personally with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai during these Winter Games - and support her if she wants an inquiry.
Bach made the revelation on the eve of tomorrow’s opening ceremony when the eyes of the sporting world turn to China.
Next to nothing has been seen of Peng in public life since she made sexual abuse accusations against a former high-ranking politician in November - which she later withdrew - sparking fears for her welfare.
But Bach insists a meeting is in place and that Peng, a three-time Olympian, will undergo the relevant Covid protocols and then enter Beijing’s Closed Loop for the meet..
He said: “Our approach is first and foremost in the interests of Peng Shuai to answer the question which was concerning us from a human point of view, that of where is Peng Shuai?
“That’s why we took this approach to get in contact and get to know where she is and as far as possible how she is.
“This you can only achieve if you take contact,” he added. “If you do not take contact, if you just make a declaration about the status, you don’t get any further normally.
“This is why we made this contact, in order to find out as much as possible whether the basic and maybe the most important human right of physical integrity is assured. There’s no better way than to have a personal meeting.
"Video among friends cannot replace personal contact and appearance.
“She is reporting that she can move freely and is spending time with her family and friends. And now we are taking the next step, to convince us in person of her physical integrity and state of mind."
Bach added: “It’s not only a sign of respect but a necessity to respect her and listen to her and how she sees the situation, how she wants to live her life.
“We are step by step trying to find out if she wants to have the inquiry. Of course we would also support her in this, but it must be her decision. It’s her life, it’s her allegations.
“We have heard the allegations, we have heard the withdrawal. We will have this personal meeting and continue this conversation. And then we will know better also about her physical integrity, her mental state, when we can finally meet in person.”
