As Olympic chiefs confirmed they would meet Peng Shuai, activist group Global Athlete used the tennis player as an example to remind competitors at the Winter Games to refrain from talking about human rights while in China. The well-being of Peng, a three-time Olympian, became a matter of concern in November when, according to the Women’s Tennis Association, she appeared to allege on social media that a former Chinese vice-premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her in the past. Her post was taken down minutes later, prompting the “Where Is Peng Shuai” movement as athletes and groups around the world expressed fear for her safety. Zhang and the Chinese government has not commented on the matter. With the IOC planning another visit with #PengShuai it is worth re-posting @GlobalAthleteHQ 2 Dec 2021 statement: "The International Olympic Committee Continues to Choose Business, Politics, and Money Over Peng Shuai’s Safety" ⬇️ @GlobalAthleteHQ @WTA https://t.co/8mFYWH0u1V https://t.co/Vcl8IfWMRm pic.twitter.com/xqG6TpFBVC — Rob Koehler (@RobKoehler2) January 27, 2022 “With no protection by the IOC or the Chinese authorities we strongly advise athletes not to speak up about human rights issues while in China. The disappearance of Peng Shuai is a glaring example of the type of the risk athletes face when they speak up,” Global Athlete posted on Sunday. The group was responding to a statement by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also urging athletes to not speak up against human rights issues. China is being accused of oppression against Uygur Muslims in Xinjiang province but has consistently denied the allegations. Chinese officials said last month athletes could be punished if they breach national laws. The IOC, meanwhile, said on Sunday they would proceed with the meeting but details will not be shared in advance. “We have always said there will be a meeting with her and there have been a series of calls leading up to this moment,” Mark Adams, the IOC spokesman, said. “That has not changed. As the IOC president [Thomas Bach] so eloquently said, we will talk with her and it is up to her to say what will be said. I will not be giving any more details on that.” Peng said in December she had never accused anyone of sexually assaulting her and her post had been misunderstood. Ahead of the Beijing Games, the IOC held several video calls with her and had announced a face-to-face meeting during the Games. It was not clear whether Bach would meet Peng in one of the competition venues or somewhere else in Beijing. “We wouldn’t be giving a schedule where and if she may or may not be watching [sports]. We don’t think it is ideal to be discussed at that level. When we have information we feel we are able to share we will do so,” Adams said. The IOC has also said it would support her if she wanted her allegations to be investigated. Despite these contacts and a handful of videos from Peng, international concerns over her safety and well-being have not been allayed and the WTA has suspended tournaments in China. Although China has not directly commented on Peng’s initial post, it has repeated said it “opposes the politicisation of sports”.