Thursday, December 02, 2021
Athletes more important than profit
WTA revolution clearly exposes IOC
The WTA players’ organization is setting an example: Your tennis professionals are more important than all the money that China pays to host tournaments. There is a lot of applause around the world. The IOC, on the other hand, is staying with it: Peng Shuai, who has since disappeared, is doing well. The criticism grows.
The players’ organization WTA is serious: all planned tennis tournaments in China have been canceled. It is nothing less than a revolution. No other sports organization puts athletes above profit with such clarity. No other sports organization takes social responsibility and takes grievances so seriously. The chairman, Steve Simon, told the AP news agency, “This is an organizational attempt that really addresses something, which is about what is right and wrong.” And wrong, there is a lot in China that has to do with the Peng Shuai case.
Although the former world number one in doubles has now appeared in public several times, it is assumed that she is being put under pressure and cannot move freely. In early November, she published allegations of sexual assault by former Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Gaoli on the Weibo social network. The post was deleted immediately, after which there was no trace of her for more than two weeks.
China is outraged by the consequence. “We are firmly against the politicization of sport,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Weibin succinctly when asked by reporters. Last week, China had already forbidden to mix sport and politics.
WTA goes first
The fact is: The WTA goes ahead, no other sports organization has so clearly aligned itself with the host country of the 2022 Winter Olympics. China is a major sponsor of the Ladies Tour with a number of events. There is an ongoing ten-year contract with the city of Shenzen to host the WTA finals. Ending relationships could cost the WTA millions.
Simon also emphasized to the AP that this decision could also apply beyond the year 2022. He justified it in the organization’s announcement: “With a clear conscience, I don’t see how we can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely.” He went on to explain, “If powerful people can suppress women’s voices and sweep allegations of sexual abuse under the rug, then the foundation on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – would suffer a huge setback,” wrote Simon. “I will not and cannot allow this to happen to the WTA and its players.”
“I’m proud”
The WTA received a lot of encouragement for the decision: “This is consistent and exemplary action. Everything must be done to guarantee the well-being of the players,” said Barbara Rittner. “This is also a sign to the younger generation that the WTA is taking responsibility. I am proud of the WTA,” said Germany’s head of tennis for the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. Former world-class player and first WTA president Billie Jean King said she thinks it’s good that the WTA has “taken a strong stand in defense of human rights in China and around the world”. That is one of the reasons why women’s tennis is leading in women’s sport. The WTA is “on the right side of history”.
World number one for men, Novak Djokovic, praised the courage of the WTA and added: “I fully support the WTA’s stance because we do not have enough information about Peng Shuai and her welfare.” The US Tennis Association also welcomed the decision: “This kind of leadership is brave and is needed to ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected and that all voices are heard.”
IOC under increasing pressure
The applause for the WTA also shows that a good two months before the opening ceremony in Beijing, pressure is increasing on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has already received significant criticism for its handling of the unclear situation. After Peng’s disappearance, President Thomas Bach initially remained silent for days, then had a video call with the athlete just under two weeks ago – and came to the conclusion: Peng is fine. Not only the human rights organization Human Rights Watch reacted indignantly, the athletes in Germany also criticize the IOC’s actions. The organization runs the risk of “legitimizing the systematic reprisals against unpleasant people in China and thus becoming a collaborator with the Chinese government,” said spokesman Maximilian Klein.
The IOC has not yet commented on the WTA’s decision. The organization only announced that there had been another video call with Peng on Wednesday. The communication begins with the words that like other people, one “cares” about their well-being and safety – which is in contrast to the previous statement that Peng is fine. The IOC stated: “There are different ways to achieve your well-being and your safety. We have taken a very human and person-centered approach to your situation.” Nevertheless, the verdict remains: Even in the conversation on Wednesday, she looked safe and sound. The IOC is silent about allegations of abuse or censorship in social media.
Statements of this kind suggest that it will not be any quieter for the IOC until the start of the Winter Olympics on February 5. Foreign minister-designate Annalena Baerbock did not even categorically rule out a boycott of the games. When asked how she felt about it, she told the “taz”: “When I see how China’s leadership deals with the tennis player Peng Shuai or the arrested citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, we should of course also take a closer look at the Olympic Games There are different ways of dealing with this for governments, which will certainly be discussed in the coming weeks. “