Peng Shuai.<br />On December 1, Women's Tennis Association Chairman and CEO Steve Simon said the WTA has suspended all tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. .<br />NPR reports that the decision comes after Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai accused former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. .<br />Her post, as well as her account, on social media site Weibo, were deleted by the Chinese government. .<br />NPR reports that concern for Peng's safety has now persisted for weeks. .<br />"Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way. While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation,".<br />"The WTA has been clear on what is needed here, and we repeat our call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into Peng Shuai's sexual assault accusation.".<br />NPR points out that the WTA did not specify how many tournaments would be affected by the decision. .<br />The move was praised by the Sports & Rights Alliance, who called on the International Olympic Committee to take a similar stance. .<br />The IOC's eagerness to ignore the voice <br />of an Olympian who may be in danger and <br />to support claims of state-sponsored media <br />in China shows the urgent and critical need <br />for an IOC human rights strategy in close <br />consultation with affected stakeholders, <br />placing athletes at the center, Andrea Florence, Acting Director <br />of the Sport & Rights Alliance, via NPR.<br />The IOC's eagerness to ignore the voice <br />of an Olympian who may be in danger and <br />to support claims of state-sponsored media <br />in China shows the urgent and critical need <br />for an IOC human rights strategy in close <br />consultation with affected stakeholders, <br />placing athletes at the center, Andrea Florence, Acting Director <br />of the Sport & Rights Alliance, via NPR
