TAOS Expresses Support and Concern for Olympian Peng Shuai

The Army of Survivors would like to extend support to Chinese tennis Olympian Peng Shuai, who recently went missing after publicly stating she was sexually assaulted by former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. 

We are pleased to see Peng alive this weekend in a video call with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, though we are not yet convinced of her safety. The call was not enough to be considered confirmation of her well-being or that her needs are being met.

We would like to urge the IOC to continue working to ensure that Peng is safe and not under threat by the Chinese government, no matter the cost. The IOC refers to its athletes as members of a family — however as a three-time Olympian, Peng is not being treated as such. With the 2022 Olympics in Beijing looming, the IOC’s lack of urgency in this situation proves what we have long known to be true: too many sports organizations put profit over people. 

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has acted admirably the past couple weeks, threatening to cancel future tournaments in China and stating its “relationship with China is at a crossroads.” WTA Chief Executive Steve Simon has been steadfast in his commitment to demanding Peng’s claims be fully investigated and that she is free and safe. It is our hope that the WTA’s recent actions serve as the standard for other sports entities when issues of athletes’ rights arise.

It is unfortunate that the IOC could use its standing to demand the same things as the WTA, but has yet to do so. The IOC has an incredible amount of leverage surrounding the upcoming Olympics, but has yet to use this leverage in the name of human’s rights. 

Our thoughts remain with Peng Shuai and those close to her. We know firsthand the trauma and fear that can come from disclosing abuse, especially when an organization is not trauma-informed. It is our hope that all athlete survivors, including Peng Shuai, can find the support they deserve in a safe and athlete-centered environment.

Related news

Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Four Years Since Tokyo Olympics, Lawmakers Commit to Protecting Children Four years after hosting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Japan is finally taking action to protect athletes from abuse in sport. This month, the Japanese National Diet passed a revision to the Basic Act on Sport (2011), requiring the national and local governments to adopt measures […]

READ MORE

Job Opening: Social Media & Communications Assistant

Job Opening: Social Media & Communications Assistant

­ Job Description: Social Media & Communications Assistant Start date:       July 2025 Location:         Remote Reporting to:   Communications Coordinator Hours:             15 hours/week Application Deadline: 30 June 2025 Summary The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) is seeking a social media and communications assistant to help manage and create content for the SRA external […]

READ MORE

Saudi Arabia: Migrant Domestic Workers Face Severe Exploitation, Racism and Exclusion from Labour Protections

Saudi Arabia: Migrant Domestic Workers Face Severe Exploitation, Racism and Exclusion from Labour Protections

Locked in, left out: the hidden lives of Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia Kenyan women hired as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia endure gruelling, abusive and discriminatory working conditions, which often amount to forced labour and human trafficking, Amnesty International said in a new report. The report highlights how employers subjected the women to […]

READ MORE

Related resources

Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Japan Acts to Protect Athletes from Abuse

Four Years Since Tokyo Olympics, Lawmakers Commit to Protecting Children Four years after hosting the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Japan is finally taking action to protect athletes from abuse in sport. This month, the Japanese National Diet passed a revision to the Basic Act on Sport (2011), requiring the national and local governments to adopt measures […]

READ MORE

Episode 3: “Sometimes We Can’t See”

Episode 3: “Sometimes We Can’t See”

Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the third and final episode of our research series on violence in sports: “Sometimes We Can’t See.” In this video, we explore why violence is often normalized in sport – and why it’s so hard for athletes, coaches and others to recognise when they see it, when […]

READ MORE

Aerial shot of four crew rowers on teal water with Title: Behind the Statistics with blue highlight and eyebrow header above

Episode 2: “Behind the Statistics”

Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the second episode of our three-part series exploring scientific data on violence in sports: “Behind the Statistics.” In this video, we dive into prevalence studies and associated factors that put some groups of athletes at higher risk. Led by Dr Aurelie Pankowiak, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute […]

READ MORE

Join the Network

Sport has the potential to be a catalyst for human development, unity, and freedom, but too often it instead brings harm to its athletes, fans, and communities. We exist to uncover and rectify the many abuses that exist both in and around sport. We aim to transform sports into an authentic force for good.