IOC President claims Peng Shuai "can move freely in China", confirms in-person meeting will take place next week

The President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, has stated that he will meet Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai in person next week as fears for her safety continue following her disappearance and subsequent withdrawal of sexual assault allegations against a Chinese politician.

Bach will be in China for the Beijing Winter Olympics and confirmed a meeting with Peng is scheduled to take place in the next fortnight. Peng went missing in November after making an allegation of sexual assault against former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli on Chinese social media site Weibo.

The post was quickly deleted and the 36-year old has since denied the claims, although concerns for her wellbeing and ability to act freely remain. Bach held a video call with Peng last year but insists he wants to see her in person.

“We had information on her wellbeing but only via video conference and this cannot replace personal contact,” he said. “We know from her explanations to us that she is living here in Beijing and she can move freely and is spending time with her friends and family.

“Our approach was and is first of all in the interest of Peng Shuai. It is a necessity to respect her and listen to her and how she sees the situation and how she wants to live her life. This is what, step-by-step, we are trying to find out."

The IOC President added the governing body was ready to support Peng in whatever chose to do, but ultimately the decision was up to her.

“If she wants to have an inquiry, we would support her in this but it must be her decision, it’s her life, her allegations and we’ve heard the withdrawal too," said Bach. “We will continue our conversations and we’ll know better about her physical and mental state when we can meet in person.”