Peng Shuai: IOC member Dick Pound 'puzzled' by reaction to tennis player's video call

The video call comes after Peng, one in all China's most recognizable sports activities stars, publicly accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of coercing her into intercourse at his dwelling, in accordance to screenshots of a since-deleted social media put up dated November 2.

Following the accusation, Peng disappeared from public view, prompting a number of fellow tennis gamers to specific fear on social media, utilizing the hashtag #WhereIsPengShuai.

"I must say I'm really puzzled by that assessment of it," Pound informed CNN's Christiane Amanpour in response to the criticism."Basically, a lot of folks around the globe have been trying to see what occurred to Peng Shuai and no one was ready to set up contact."Only the IOC was ready to achieve this, and there was a dialog that was held by video with Thomas Bach, who's an older Olympian, and two youthful feminine IOC members. Nobody's launched the video as a result of I assume that side of it was personal. "They found her in good health and in good spirits and they saw no evidence of confinement or anything like that."Pound added that he has not seen a recording of the video call, however is "simply relying on the combined judgment of the three IOC members who were on the call."Peng was joined on the call by a Chinese sports activities official who previously served because the Communist Party secretary of the Chinese Tennis Administration Center.Pound additionally denied that there's any potential battle of curiosity between the IOC and the Chinese authorities with the Beijing Winter Olympics set to start in February. "We don't really have links with the Chinese government," mentioned Pound."We're pretty careful about compartmentalizing the organization of the Olympics. These are not government Games. These are IOC Games, and there's an organizing committee that is responsible for that."The WTA and the United Nations have referred to as for a full investigation into her allegations of sexual assault.

"The first thing you have to do is figure out what was she trying to accomplish with the post," Pound mentioned of Peng's deleted social media put up. "Was it just to tell her story or did she want an investigation and [drop] consequences if she was able to establish the coercion?"

Throughout the movies Peng says little or no however is seen smiling. CNN can't independently confirm the video clips or verify after they have been filmed.

Chinese authorities haven't acknowledged Peng's allegations in opposition to Zhang, and there's no indication an investigation is underway. It stays unclear if Peng has reported her allegations to the police.

Speaking at a information convention on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian reiterated that Peng's accusation shouldn't be a diplomatic problem and declined to remark additional. CNN has reached out to China's State Council Information Office, which handles press inquiries for the central authorities. Zhang has saved a low profile and light from public life since his retirement in 2018, and there's no public data relating to his present whereabouts.Before retiring as vice premier, Zhang was the top of a Chinese authorities working group for the Beijing Games. In the position he inspected venues, visited athletes, unveiled official emblems, and held conferences to coordinate preparation work. Zhang beforehand met with Bach, the IOC president who held a video call with Peng, on at the least one event, with the 2 being photographed collectively shaking fingers within the Chinese capital in 2016.