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Tennis tournaments in China scrapped amid concern for Peng Shuai

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Women’s Tennis Association has just announced that it will immediately suspend all tennis tournaments in China as concerns grow for the safety and wellbeing of Peng Shuai

All events in China and Hong Kong will be immediately suspended amid concern for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai.

WTA chairman Steve Simon said the decision was made on Thursday after repeated attempts to contact the former world No.1 doubles player.

“When on November 2, 2021, Peng Shuai posted an allegation of sexual assault against a top Chinese government official, the Women’s Tennis Association recognised that Peng Shuai’s message had to be listened to and taken seriously,” Simon said on the WTA website.

“The players of the WTA, not to mention women around the world, deserve nothing less.

“From that moment forward, Peng Shuai demonstrated the importance of speaking out, particularly when it comes to sexual assault, and especially when powerful people are involved. As Peng said in her post, “Even if it is like an egg hitting a rock, or if I am like a moth drawn to the flame, inviting self-destruction, I will tell the truth about you.” She knew the dangers she would face, yet she went public anyway. I admire her strength and courage.

“Since then, Peng’s message has been removed from the internet and discussion of this serious issue has been censored in China.”

Simon said the decision was supported by the WTA Board of Directors and he was “concerned” for the safety of players and staff if WTA events were held in China.

”The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players. As we do so, I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the financial ramifications,” Simon said.

Boycott the olympics?

This follows Human Rights Watch accusing the International Olympic Committee of being complicit in China’s rights abuses, ahead of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

Peng disappeared for nearly three weeks after alleging on social media that China’s former Vice-Premier had sexually assaulted her.

Sophie Richardson is the China Director of the Human Rights Watch and says there is something bigger at play in the region.

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World Athletics bans transgender women in female category events

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Any transgender athlete, who has gone through male puberty, won’t be allowed to compete in female world ranking competitions

World Athletics has banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events.

Any transgender athlete, who has gone through male puberty, won’t be allowed to compete in female world ranking competitions.

The governing body’s President says the decision was guided by the principle to protect the female category.

“Decisions are always difficult when they involve conflicting needs and rights between different groups, but we continue to take the view that we must maintain fairness for female athletes above all other considerations,” said Lord Coe.

“We will be guided in this by the science around physical performance and male advantage which will inevitably develop over the coming years.

“As more evidence becomes available, we will review our position, but we believe the integrity of the female category in athletics is paramount.”

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Goalkeeper Leandro Requena scores longest range goal of all-time

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The ball travelled 101 metres, if it is ratified by Guinness World Records

Argentine goalkeeper Leandro Requena has scored one of the longest-range goals of all-time.

With his Cobresal team leading 2-0 in the 77th minute against Colo-Colo in the Chilean football league, Requena took a goal kick.

Colo-Colo goalkeeper Brayan Cortes was well outside of his penalty area, and the ball bounced over his head and towards goal.

Cortes stumbled as he tried in vain to chase the ball as it crossed the line.

If the goal is ratified by Guinness World Records, it would break the record for the longest range goal in history.

The current record is 96.01 metres, set by Tom King in 2021 during a match between Newport County and Cheltenham Town in England’s fourth tier.

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Gary Lineker returns to ‘Match of the Day’ duties

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Alan Shearer welcomed his co-host, describing it as a “really difficult situation”

Football commentator Gary Lineker is back at the BBC following last week’s controversy surrounding his views on the U.K. government’s asylum policy.

Welcoming Lineker back, fellow host Alan Shearer said it has been a “really difficult situation for everyone concerned.”

Lineker was taken off air following a critical tweet on the government’s asylum policy.

Last Saturday’s Match of the Day was broadcast without presenters or commentary and was only 20 minutes long – with many of Lineker’s BBC Sport colleagues walked out in “solidarity”.

The BBC has since said it will launch an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers like Lineker.

But, in the meantime, he is free to return to hosting duties.

At the start of the BBC’s live coverage of Manchester City v Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday, Shearer addressed the elephant in the room.

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