Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai backtracks sexual assault claims

[REPORTER TRACK]

THERE’S A BOMBSHELL TWIST IN THE CONCERN OVER CHINESE TENNIS STAR PENG SHUAI. 

JIMMIE JOHNSON: THE 35-YEAR-OLD TOLD A SINGAPORE NEWSPAPER SHE WAS NOT SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. 

SHUAI TRIED TO CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION DURING AN INTERVIEW AT A PROMOTIONAL EVENT FOR THE UPCOMING 20-22 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING.

PENG SHUAI: “I never said or written anything about anyone sexually assaulting me. This needs to be emphasize very clearly.”

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES WEEKS AFTER HER POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA ACCUSED A TOP CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. 

FOLLOWING THE ALLEGATIONS, THE GRAND SLAM DOUBLES CHAMPION WENT SILENT, PROMPTING THE WOMEN’S TENNIS ASSOCIATION TO SUSPEND ALL EVENTS IN CHINA INDEFINITELY. 

LAST MONTH, SHUAI MADE AN APPEARANCE ON CHINESE STATE T-V AND SENT A WRITTEN LETTER TO THE W-T-A CONFIRMING SHE WAS SAFE. 

PENG SHUAI: The Chinese letter I replied to W-T-A C-E-O Mr. Simon was written entirely by myself.”

JIMMIE: HOWEVER, SHUAI SAYS THE ENGLISH VERSION WAS TRANSLATED. 

DESPITE THE NEW REVELATIONS, IT ISN’T ENOUGH TO EASE THE CONCERNS OF FANS OR THE W-T-A. 

THE W-T-A SAYS, [QUOTE] “WE REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR CALL FOR A FULL, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION.” 

PENG SHUAI’S STORY HAS ALSO SHINED MORE ATTENTION ON CHINA’S HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AHEAD OF THE OLYMPICS GAMES IN FEBRUARY. 

DO YOU THINK THIS STORY WILL FIZZLE OUT OR LINGER INTO THE GAMES? 

LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.