CORRECTION: Western Media Gets A Chance For A Lengthy Interview with Chinese Tennis Star Peng Shuai

Interesting that this story went viral for so long ending up with clear statements and double-talk from the reporter who first reported sexual attack

Journalist Who Interviewed Peng Shuai Acknowledges It Was 'Propaganda'

Marc Ventouillac, from French sports daily L’Equipe, says he is still unsure if the Chinese tennis star is free to say and do what she wants.

On Tuesday, Peng watched American-born Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu win gold at the women’s big air event.

JOHN LEICESTER

HuffPost |

BEIJING (AP) — It was the interview many sports journalists wanted: A sit-down with Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, prepped and ready to talk for the first time with Western media about allegations she made of forced sex with a former top-ranked Communist Party official that triggered a global outpouring of fears for her safety.

Marc Ventouillac, one of two journalists for French sports daily L’Equipe who spoke to Peng this week in a restrictive interview arranged with Chinese Olympic officials, says he is still unsure if she is free to say and do what she wants.

“It’s impossible to say,” he said in English. “This interview don’t give proof that there is no problem with Peng Shuai.”

China’s intent, however, was clear to him: By granting the interview as Beijing is hosting the Winter Olympics, it appeared that Chinese officials hope to put the controversy to rest, so it doesn’t pollute the event.

“It’s a part of communication, propaganda, from the Chinese Olympic Committee,” Ventouillac told The Associated Press on Tuesday, the day after L’Equipe published its exclusive.

With “an interview to a big European newspaper, they can show: ‘OK, there is no problem with Peng Shuai. See? Journalists (came), they can ask all the questions they wanted.’”

The interview, as well as a dinner Peng had with International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and appearances she made at Olympic venues have shone a deliberate and controlled spotlight on the three-time Olympian and former top-ranked doubles player. . .

[...] “Sexual assault? I never said that anyone made me submit to a sexual assault,” the newspaper quoted her as saying.

“This post resulted in an enormous misunderstanding from the outside world,” she also said. “My wish is that the meaning of this post no longer be skewed.”