From human rights to coronavirus and now tennis star Peng Shuai, preparations for February’s Beijing Olympics have been overshadowed by sev...
From human rights to coronavirus and now tennis star Peng Shuai, preparations for February’s Beijing Olympics have been overshadowed by several controversies.
China’s ruling Communist Party is however determined to frame the Winter Games as a chance for the country to showcase its prowess and help the world unite in the face of the pandemic.
The International Olympic Committee has lauded Beijing for making history in becoming the first host of a Summer Games, in 2008, and now a Winter one.
With just over 70 days to go, we take a look at the issues hanging over the Olympics:
Peng Shuai
There was grave international concern for former world number one doubles player Peng after she made sexual assault accusations on social media against a former top Communist Party politician.
The 35-year-old – a three-time Olympian – was not heard from for more than two weeks and her claims were rapidly censored. The United Nations, US and Peng’s fellow tennis stars all voiced fears for her whereabouts.
The Women’s Tennis Association threatened to end its lucrative business in China unless it was assured of her safety.
Peng later appeared on state media in several videos and held a video call with IOC president Thomas Bach on Sunday in which she said she was safe and well,...
