BEIJING, Jan 17 (Reuters) – Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming said on Monday that tennis star Peng Shuai, who became the subject of concern after she accused a former senior politician of sexually assaulting her, was in good spirits when they appeared at an event last month.
“She seemed well. We chatted merrily,” Yao said when asked in Beijing on Monday about his impressions of Peng at a cross-country skiing event they both attended last month in Shanghai.
Yao said he and Peng had known each other for nearly 20 years. However, he did not comment directly on the controversy that flared up last year after Peng, a former world No. 1 doubles player, appeared to allege that a former vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her in the past.
Zhang has not commented on the matter, and Beijing has censored discussion of it on the internet.
Speaking with media less than three weeks before the Olympics are due to open, Yao said he expects China to win medals in speed skating and snowboarding, but asked Chinese fans to be patient given the country is relatively new to winter sports.