It took about a week for Novak Djokovic to go from worrying about whether he simply could play a match at all on his injured left hamstring to thinking he can win the Australian Open. And one pain-free, nearly perfect performance in the fourth round Monday made a world of difference.“Tonight, the way I played, the way I felt, gives me reason now to believe that I can go all the way,” Djokovic said after completely overwhelming 22nd-seeded Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals for the 13th time at Melbourne Park and 54th time at all Grand Slam tournaments.“I mean, I always believe I can go all the way, in terms of my tennis,” continued Djokovic, whose 21 major championships include nine in Australia. “But the way my leg felt before tonight wasn’t giving me too many hopes, so to say, for the entire tournament, to go all the way through. Tonight I feel that, so I feel positive about it.”A year ago, he got kicked out of the country before the Australian Open because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. He still hasn't gotten the shots, but the government's coronavirus rules have been relaxed.After looking out of joint occasionally in his first three matches in the tournament last week, sometimes stumbling to the ground, sometimes seeking treatment from a trainer, the 35-year-old from Serbia looked like his usual flexible, court-covering, dominant self at Rod Laver Arena against de Minaur.Djokovic won 42 of 64 points that lasted five shots or more. He accumulated a 26-9 edge in winners. He won all 12 of his service games, never facing a single break point. Generally considered the best returner in the game now — and, perhaps, ever — Djokovic earned a dozen break chances and converted half.He broke to lead 4-2 in the first set and again to end it. He broke to go up 2-0 and 4-0 in the second. He broke for advantages of 1-0 and 3-0 in the third.“It just felt like constant pressure today. Every service game I had, wasn’t getting free points. It felt like an uphill battle from the start,” de Minaur said. “Never really was able to get my teeth into the match, make it tough for him, or bring the pressure moments and situations.”Djokovic said he felt “fantastic” and “really great in terms of mobility and movement.”In addition to taking “a lot” of anti-inflammatory pills to help the hamstring, Djokovic said he has been using “different treatments and machines and stuff” to help improve his leg. He also cautioned that he does not “want to celebrate too early, ’cause I don’t know how the body’s going to respond tomorrow and for the next match.”Yes, there are still contests to come and players to contend with.His upcoming opponent is No. 5 seed Andrey Rublev, who will head into their matchup Wednesday with an 0-6 record in Grand Slam quarterfinals. That day’s other men’s match will be between two unseeded Americans in their 20s who’ve never been this far at a major tournament: Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul.The men’s quarterfinals scheduled for Tuesday: No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas against unseeded Jiri Lehecka, and No. 18 Karen Khachanov vs. No. 29 Sebastian Korda.Of the seven remaining men other than Djokovic, none has won a Grand Slam title and only Tsitsipas ever has even reached a major final, and that was just once, losing to — yep, you guessed it — Djokovic at the French Open in 2021.“I’ve been in this situation so many times before,” Djokovic said, leaning back in his chair and placing both palms on his chest. “From that point of view I think it helps me have kind of a more, let’s say, clear approach to the remaining days of the tournament and what I need to do. Of course, I’ll keep an eye on all the other matches, see how the other guys are doing. We’ll see what happens.”De Minaur, for one, knows what he thinks is going to happen.“What I experienced today was probably Novak very close to his best, I would say,” he said. “To me, if that’s the level, I think he’s definitely the guy that’s going to take the title.”

A year ago, he got kicked out of the country before the Australian Open because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19

With Djokovic's leg OK, he sees Australian title realistic

Eddie Nketiah kept Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge on track with two goals as the Gunners beat Manchester United 3-2 in a pulsating game at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Nketiah netted the winner in injury time with a back-heeled flick-on after a shot from Martin Odegaard to secure a crucial victory that keeps Arsenal five points ahead of Manchester City with a game in hand.United is the only team to have beaten Arsenal in the league this season and looked set to deal Mikel Arteta’s team another blow when Lisandro Martinez equalized in the 59th minute.But Arsenal was finally rewarded for a period of relentless pressure over the last 10 minutes, with David De Gea having already denied Nketiah once from close range.Marcus Rashford had put United ahead with a long-range strike in the 17th minute, but Nketiah responded seven minutes later when he headed in a cross from Granit Xhaka at the far post.Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal the lead for the first time in the 53rd when he collected the ball on the left flank, drove past Christian Eriksen and then curled in a strike from 25 yards that beat De Gea at the far post.But goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale then made a rare mistake as he collided with his own defender when trying to collect a corner, spilling the ball to Martinez — who reacted quickly to head in the equalizer.

Arsenal was finally rewarded for a period of relentless pressure over the last 10 minutes

Eddie Nketiah gives Arsenal 3-2 win over Man United

Erling Haaland can break all sorts of Premier League scoring records this season and it still might not secure Manchester City another title. That's because there is just no stopping Arsenal, which overcame another big obstacle in its bid for a first league title since 2004.A few hours after Haaland scored his fourth hat trick of the season in City's 3-0 win over Wolverhampton, Arsenal responded by beating Manchester United 3-2 thanks to a 90th-minute winner by Eddie Nketiah.Arsenal stayed five points clear of second-place City and has a game in hand. The top two must still meet each other twice in the league so there is scope for a turnaround.<h2>With Halland there is hope for Man City</h2>It will need Arsenal to slow down and Haaland to keep on scoring. Currently, there's no sign of either of those things happening.Arsenal was relentless against United after going behind to Marcus Rashford's ninth goal since the World Cup. Goals by Nketiah and Bukayo Saka put the hosts ahead, Lisandro Martinez equalized after a weak punch clear by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, only for Nketiah to flick home from close range for a goal that was reviewed for offside.Remarkably, Arsenal has still only dropped seven points from a possible 57 and has just come through a tough-looking run of games against Brighton, Newcastle, Tottenham and United by taking 10 points from 12.Still, with Haaland there is hope for City, the defending champion.The Norway striker moved to 25 goals for his debut league campaign in England by scoring all of City's goals against Wolves. That would be enough to win the Golden Boot in the Premier League in any of the previous four seasons.The record goal tally for a 38-game Premier League season is held by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, with 32 in 2017-18. The most in a 42-game Premier League campaign was 34, by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.If Haaland stays fit, he is on course to easily surpass those records.Arsenal and City meet for the first time in the league on Feb. 15. Before that, they play each other at City's Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup on Friday.United and third-place Newcastle are both six points behind City now.<h2>Leeds frustrated&nbsp;</h2>Leeds' winless run in the league is up to six matches.A 0-0 home draw with Brentford moved Leeds a point clear of the relegation zone but it was another frustrating game for the home fans, who saw Willy Gnonto denied by visiting goalkeeper David Raya in the best chance.

Arsenal was relentless against United after going behind to Marcus Rashford's ninth goal since the World Cup

Arsenal beats United 3-2, Haaland hat trick propels City

Swiss skier Daniel Yule won a men’s World Cup slalom Sunday after first-run leader Manuel Feller straddled a gate and failed to finish his home race. Yule ranked only seventh after the opening run, but he posted the third-fastest time in the second and then saw the top six fail to beat his leading time on the icy Ganslern course. It was his second victory in the classic race after his maiden triumph in 2020.Dave Ryding, who triumphed last year to become the first British skier to win a World Cup race, posted the fastest time in the second run and improved from 14th to second place, 0.40 behind Yule.Norway's Lucas Braathen, who was runner-up to Feller in the first run, dropped to third, 0.41 off the pace. Linus Strasser of Germany was one-hundredth further back in fourth.Henrik Kristoffersen, who won the classic slalom at Wengen last week, placed fifth after bouncing back from a disappointing opening run, where he finished in ninth, left him with no realistic chance of winning.It was Yule’s second win of the season, after triumphing in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, last month. The Swiss skier remained the only non-Norwegian skier to win a men's World Cup slalom in the 10 races since the Beijing Olympics.Braathen overtook Kristoffersen on the top of the season slalom standings.Feller was after his third career win and first in almost two years. His best result in Kitzbuehel remained fifth place in 2018, a year after record eight-time overall champion Marcel Hirscher was the last Austrian winner.The slalom in Kitzbuehel was the first of three technical races in Austria within four days, with a night slalom on Tuesday and a GS on Wednesday scheduled for Schladming.

Norway's Lucas Braathen, who was runner-up to Feller in the first run, dropped to third, 0.41 off the pace

Swiss skier Yule beats Ryding to win slalom in Kitzbuehel

Defense lawyers are asking for a University of Alabama basketball player charged with capital murder to be released on bond, arguing he is not a threat to the community and there is scant evidence against him. Darius Miles' attorney on Thursday asked a judge to set a bond hearing. The 21-year-old former junior reserve forward for the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide is accused of providing the gun in a fatal shooting that killed a young woman near the University of Alabama campus. Miles has been dismissed from the team.University spokesman Shane Dorrill said he also “has been suspended and removed from campus pending the outcome of a student conduct case related to this serious matter.” Miles is currently being held without bond at the Tuscaloosa County Jail.Defense lawyer Mary Turner wrote in the request that Miles is not a flight risk and has no prior criminal history. She also asserted that the prosecution would be unable to produce enough evidence at the bail hearing for a jury to sustain a capital conviction against Miles. She argued one standard regarding bail is to deny bail if prosecutors show evidence that could sustain a conviction and “to allow bail if the evidence is not so efficacious.”Prosecutors have not responded to the request for a bond hearing.Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, 20, are charged with capital murder in the shooting death of 23-year-old Jamea Harris. The shooting occurred early Sunday morning on the Strip, a student-oriented business district of bars and restaurants near the Tuscaloosa campus. Harris was sitting in the passenger seat of a car when she was struck by a bullet, police said.Investigators wrote in a court document that Miles admitted to providing the gun used in the fatal shooting, but Davis fired the weapon.Miles will appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 7 at the Tuscaloosa County Jail, according to a court document.

Defense lawyer Mary Turner wrote in the request that Miles is not a flight risk and has no prior criminal history

Defense lawyers seeks bond for basketball player

Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo have fought for 12 1/2 thrilling rounds in three bouts over the past 25 months. When they meet for a fourth time Saturday night, the winner will have the UFC flyweight title and the last word in one of the top rivalries in recent martial arts history. Moreno knows exactly what he's getting into when the cage door closes in Rio de Janeiro, and he's outspokenly confident in his ability to reclaim the belt he won in their second bout and lost in their third.<h2>Four men</h2>It's the walk to the cage in front of the famously maniacal Brazilian MMA fans that has this likable Tijuana native both concerned and excited."I can visualize this," Moreno said with a grin. “Maybe starting the fight or walking to the octagon, maybe the people will be a bit aggressive with us – with me especially. But with the passage of rounds, the people will see all my hard work, and people will understand I’m just a little kid trying to put food on the table for my family.”Only four men have held the UFC’s 125-pound title since it came into existence in 2012, and two of them will fight for that belt again at UFC 283. It's the first title tetralogy in the promotion's history, and Moreno is anticipating a big finish.“It’s the last dance, man," Moreno said. “My plan is to make a statement in this one. My plan is to finish Deiveson Figueiredo. I know it. I’ve done it before. I can do it again. I understand that people, when the rumor started to come, people would say ‘Oh man, again, these guys?’ I understand their point, but I also understand that Deiveson and me, we make fireworks in the ring. I don’t want to see this guy again.”The UFC's first pay-per-view show of 2023 also is the promotion's first show in Brazil since its infamous Fight Night in an empty arena in Brasilia on March 14, 2020, in the final event before the postponement of nearly all sports for the coronavirus pandemic.The main event features 43-year-old Brazilian ex-champion Glover Teixeira against Jamahal Hill in a matchup for the vacant light heavyweight belt. Every fight on the main card features a Brazilian contender, including welterweight Gilbert Burns, flyweight Jessica Andrade and light heavyweight Johnny Walker.The undercard is headlined by Brazilian former light heavyweight champ Maurício “Shogun” Rua, who claims he will retire after this fight with Ihor Potieria.But the most compelling matchup on the card is the one with the most history. Moreno and Figueiredo both realize they have little chance of surprising each other after three bouts, so the winner will need to capitalize on his strengths.<h2>First three fights&nbsp;</h2>“He’s the same guy with a lot of power in the right hand, trying to be a bully,” Moreno said. “Brandon Moreno is the same guy with the amazing cardio, with the speed, with the volume of punches. I think we can’t change that.”Their first three fights were uniformly exciting, but ultimately decided nothing. After they fought to a thrilling majority draw in December 2020 in Las Vegas, Moreno finished Figueiredo with a rear naked choke in the rematch before Figueiredo won a decision in the third bou t last January in Anaheim.Figueiredo injured both of his hands in that victory, and the UFC annoyed him by awarding an interim flyweight title belt during his injury recovery. Moreno won that temporary strap, stopping Kai Kara-France last summer.Moreno's training for the fourth bout was interrupted last month when his new coach, James Krause, was prohibited from training fighters for UFC competition amid an investigation into a suspicious result in a bout involving another one of Krause's students in November.Moreno continued his training camp with the rest of his team in Las Vegas, and he emerged ready to continue this remarkable rivalry in front of the most hostile crowd he has ever faced. To a competitor like Moreno, it's a thrill.“I try not to think too much about it, but it’s a lot of pressure,” Moreno said. “It’s for the belt. It’s in a different country. I’m just ready to get going. It's going to be fun.”

It's the walk to the cage in front of the famously maniacal Brazilian MMA fans that has this likable Tijuana native both concerned and excited

Fantastic 4: Moreno, Figueiredo extend rivalry at UFC 283

Ecuador on Sunday beat hosts Qatar 2-0 in the opening game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.Fenerbahce attacker Enner Valencia netted an early one for Ecuador in the 3rd minute before it was disallowed by the video assistant referee (VAR) at Al Bayt Stadium.
Valencia again put the ball into Qatar’s net, with a penalty kick, in the 16th minute, and then in the 31st, he scored again with an accurate header.
Valencia walked off from a light injury in the 43rd minute, and the first half ended 2-0, despite Qatar's better display after the second goal and Almoez Ali missing a critical shot in the final seconds.
Pedro of Qatar wasted another important goal chance in the 61st minute.&nbsp;Enner Valencia substituted in the 77th minute, coming off the bench with applause.After a long shot by Qatar's Muntari missed the Ecuador goal by inches in the 85th minute, the game ended 2-0 for Ecuador.
With this result, Qatar became the first hosts in the history of the World Cup to lose the opening match.&nbsp;Ecuador now leads Group A of World Cup with 3 points while Qatar placed fourth with zero.Senegal will take on the Netherlands in the next Group A match on Monday.

Fenerbahce attacker Enner Valencia rallies Ecuador to victory in first game of 2022 World Cup

Players of Ecuador celebrate after a goal during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor City, Qatar on November 20, 2022.

Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 in 2022 FIFA World Cup's opening match

Pobjedom 4:0 nad Nantesom, Paris Saint- Germain je osvojio francuski Superkup na Bloomfield stadionu u izraelskom Tel Avivu. Neymar je zabio dva gola, a po jednom su se u strijelce upisali Lionel Messi i Sergio Ramos. Jedan dječak se na kraju utakmice želio uslikati sa Messijem ali mu to nisu dozvoljavali zaštitari.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/uuh1J4wJft">pic.twitter.com/uuh1J4wJft</a>— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) <a href="https://twitter.com/nocontextfooty/status/1554001732887318528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Dječak je uspio nasamariti i pobjeći osiguranju ali su ga ubrzo uhvatili i grubo reagovali. To je primjetio i Messi koji se zauzeo za dječaka i zaustavio osiguranje. Nakon toga je strpljivo pričekao dječaka da izvadi telefon kako bi se uslikali. Video koji su snimili očevici ovog događaja je odmah postao viralan, a dječak težim putem došao do slike sa svojim omiljenim nogometašem ali čini nam se da je vrijedilo s obzirom da je ovo uspomena za cijeli život.

Dječak težim putem dobio uspomenu za cijeli život

Trenutak kada dječak pravi fotografiju s Mesijem

Mesi zaštitio dječaka koji je nasamario obezbjeđenje

New Zealand cyclist Patrick Bevin won the seventh leg of the 57th Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkiye on Saturday.

Bevin, who rides for Israel-Premier Tech, finished the race in three hours, 21 minutes, and two seconds at the 135.3-kilometer (84-mile) Gelibolu-Tekirdag track in western Turkiye.
The 31-year-old moved to the top of the tour's overall standings with this win.
Alpecin-Fenix's Jay Vine trailed two seconds behind Bevin, and Arkea Samsic's Nicolas Edet came third, four seconds behind the leader.
The seventh stage, which hosted 153 participants from 25 teams, kicked off in the historic Gallipoli Peninsula and ended in the northwestern Tekirdag province.
The eight-stage tour of Turkiye spans a total distance of 1,303 km (810 mi) and will culminate in Istanbul on Sunday.
The Turkish Cycling Federation has been organizing the tour, earlier known as the Marmara Tour, since 1963. It gained international status in 1965 and was taken under presidential authority in 1966.
The race is being broadcast live on TRT Spor Yildiz and Eurosport, and Anadolu Agency is among the sponsors of the global event.

Bevin from Israel-Premier Tech finishes 84-mile ride in 3 hours, 21 minutes, 2 seconds

New Zealand cyclist Patrick Bevin wins 7th leg of Tour of Turkiye

German football star Mesut Ozil has been dropped from the Fenerbahce squad, the Istanbul club announced on its website on Thursday. 

The Yellow Canaries, without citing a reason, said both Ozil and Ozan Tufan are now off the team squad.
During his career the 33-year-old has played for big-name clubs like Real Madrid and Arsenal, bagged four English FA Cups in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020 with Arsenal, and won one Spanish La Liga title in 2012 with Real Madrid.
Ozil joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer from Arsenal in January 2021.
The Turkish-German star also got 23 goals in 93 caps for Germany and helped them win the World Cup in 2014.

Without giving reasons, Yellow Canaries announces both Ozil, Ozan Tufan now off team squad

German star Mesut Ozil dropped from squad of Istanbul's Fenerbahce

The coach of the Finland men's ice hockey team accused China of not respecting a player's human rights on Sunday as complaints about COVID-19 isolation protocols piled up at the Winter Games.

Finnish head coach Jukka Jalonen said Marko Anttila, a ninth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL draft, was "not getting good food" and was under tremendous mental stress.- We know that he's fully healthy and ready to go and that's why we think that China, for some reason, they won't respect his human rights and that's not a great situation - head coach Jalonen said on a Zoom call with media.&nbsp;Anttila was no longer infectious but continued to be kept in COVID-19 isolation after testing positive 18 days ago, according to the team doctor.
More than 350 Games participants, including dozens of athletes, have tested positive on arrival in the Chinese capital since Jan. 23. They can leave special quarantine hotels only once they are free of symptoms and test negative in two PCR tests 24 hours apart.&nbsp;Several Games participants have complained about the isolation conditions, as well as the confusing procedures around being allowed to leave. Organisers said on Sunday that they were trying to address complaints. read more
- We are in a process of addressing these problems - said Zhao Weidong, Beijing Games spokesperson, adding that they would now allow an athlete to order in food from the village.&nbsp;The International Ice Hockey Federation would meet the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Sunday to discuss Anttila and other athlete cases, Jalonen said. Finland open group play on Thursday when they face off against Slovakia.
- Hopefully, something positive we will find out - the coach said.

A pair of Australian curlers earned a reprieve later on Sunday after being told earlier that one of them had returned a series of positive tests and would be placed in isolation.

Tahli Gill and Dean Hewitt were able to compete in the curling mixed doubles tournament after they were cleared by a medical expert panel, the Australia team said. read more
On Saturday, Germany's team chief Dirk Schimmelpfennig called conditions for triple Olympic gold medallist Eric Frenzel and two other German athletes "unacceptable".
He demanded a complete overhaul including bigger and cleaner rooms, a working internet connection, sports equipment and better food.&nbsp;Schimmelpfennig said on Sunday that organisers had acted after being contacted by the team, the ski federation and the IOC.- We have succeeded since yesterday in achieving a marked improvement in conditions for the athletes - he told reporters.
- Now the athletes have a satisfying framework of conditions. They have bigger rooms now, working Wifi, an exercise bike in the room so we have appropriate and satisfying conditions in a very difficult situation for the athletes - he said.

Polish short track speed skater Natalia Maliszewska posted on Twitter that her Beijing Olympics had turned into a "horror" story after she tested positive on Jan 30. She claimed she had received several positive and negative tests.&nbsp;- Finally, on the day of the start (on Saturday) at 3:00 am, people pull me out of solitary... That night was a horror.&nbsp;I slept with my clothes on because I was afraid that someone would take me to solitary in a moment again. I only looked a little through the curtains. With one eye, because I was afraid someone would see me. -Hours later, Maliszewska said she packed for the ice rink to take part in the 500 metres heats.
- And suddenly the news that they have made a mistake! That they shouldn't let me out of solitary confinement! That I am a threat after all! That I can't compete. I have to get back to the village asap.-On Sunday night, Maliszewska posted a photo of herself rinkside, declaring "I'm back!"
Swedish journalist Philip Gadd, who was whisked off to isolation in an ambulance when he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, described his confusion and fear in a diary he is writing for his newspaper.
- It was a really terrifying experience and it just felt like... it didn't feel real. It felt like as if I was in a movie, a sci-fi movie or something - he told Reuters in a Zoom interview from his quarantine hotel.&nbsp;

Finnish head coach Jukka Jalonen said Marko Anttila, a ninth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2004 NHL draft, was "not getting good food" and was under tremendous mental stress

China accused of ignoring hockey player's human rights as isolation complaints grow

Saudi Arabia will host its first Formula 1 race this weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

The circuit will host the penultimate round of the year, with 50 laps to be run on a 6.1-kilometer (3.7-mile) track.
The qualifying laps of the 21st race of the season will start on Saturday at 1400GMT with the race itself scheduled for 1730GMT on Sunday.
Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes have been in fierce competition for the 2021 title.
Verstappen has nine Grand Prix wins while Hamilton has seven in the championship. Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren-Mercedes), and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) have tasted one victory each so far.

Jeddah Corniche Circuit set to host 21st race of 2021 in F1 World Championship

The circuit will host the penultimate round of the year, with 50 laps to be run on a 6.1-kilometer (3.7-mile) track

Formula 1 heads to Saudi Arabia for 1st time this weekend

Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James has been handed his first NBA ban, following a brawl with Detroit Piston's Isaiah Stewart on Sunday night.

According to an NBA statement on late Monday, James has been suspended for one game and Stewart for two games for their roles in the ugly incident.
On Sunday night, James struck Stewart on the face while jostling for a rebound position on a free throw in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 121-116 win over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
The game was brought to a halt as Stewart, with blood pouring down his face, had to be held back more than once as he tried to have a go at James.
Both players were ejected from the game.​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​

Suspension comes after Sunday’s brawl with Detroit Piston's Isaiah Stewart

LeBron James has been handed his first NBA ban

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James suspended for 1st time in NBA career

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai told Olympic officials “she is safe and well” amid widespread international concern over her whereabouts.

Peng spoke to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, IOC Athletes’ Commission chair Emma Terho, and IOC Member in China Li Lingwei in a video call from Beijing, the Switzerland-based Olympic body said in a statement on Sunday night.
Peng, 35, a former doubles world number one, disappeared from public view this month after she accused China’s former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.
Her interaction with the Olympic officials came after pictures and photos published by event organizers and Chinese media showed her at a youth tennis tournament on Sunday and at a restaurant on Saturday.
In a 30-minute video call, Peng “explained that she is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time,” read the IOC statement.
- That is why she prefers to spend her time with friends and family right now. Nevertheless, she will continue to be involved in tennis, the sport she loves so much - it added.
Terho said she was “relieved to see that Peng Shuai was doing fine, which was our main concern.”
- She appeared to be relaxed. I offered her our support and to stay in touch at any time of her convenience, which she obviously appreciated - the official was quoted as saying.
Bach invited Peng “for a dinner once he arrives in Beijing next January, which she gladly accepted, and the two agreed to include Emma Terho and Li Lingwei,” the statement added.
In a social media post on Nov. 2, Peng alleged that she was coerced into sex by Zhang, who was one of the seven members of the Chinese Communist Party’s most powerful body, the Politburo Standing Committee, and retired in 2018.
The post on Chinese social media platform Weibo was quickly deleted and Peng was not seen in public for weeks.
As calls for proof of her well-being grew, Chinese state media published an e-mail purported to have been penned by Peng, which said she was “fine” and “resting at home,” while also claiming that her allegations against Zhang were “not true.”
However, that only fueled concerns for her safety and even the UN demanded evidence of her whereabouts earlier this week.
- We are calling for an investigation with full transparency into her allegation of sexual assault - said Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office.

Peng went missing from public view this month after accusing former Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai assures Olympic officials she is "safe and well"

F1 will host its first race in Qatar while Lewis Hamilton looks to reduce the gap with Max Verstappen in a thrilling 2021 season.

Seeking for his first title, Red Bull’s driver Verstappen holds a 14-point lead over Mercedes’ Hamilton by collecting 332.5 points.
Ahead of the 71-lap race in Qatar, seven-time world champion Hamilton has the momentum after he won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix with an incredible performance last weekend.
Following a dramatic win in Brazil, Hamilton secured his sixth win of the season to keep his title hopes alive.
Round 20 of the F1 World Championship will take place at the 5.380-km (3.343-mi) Losail International Circuit in Doha.
Verstappen has nine victories and Hamilton won six as Esteban Ocon of Alpine, Sergio Perez of Red Bull Racing, Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren, and Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes each sealed one with three races left this season.
The race will be held at 14:00 GMT on Sunday.
Following the Qatar GP, the teams will respectively visit Saudi Arabia and UAE to end the season in December.

Red Bull’s driver Verstappen holds 14-point lead over Mercedes’ Hamilton ahead of 71-lap race in Qatar

The race will be held at 14:00 GMT on Sunday

Qatar set to host first F1 GP while title race heads up in thrilling 2021 season

Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero will be unavailable to play for at least three months after undergoing heart tests, the club announced Monday.

According to its official website, the Argentine star was “subjected to a diagnostic and therapeutic process” that will prevent him from playing for a while and “the effectiveness of treatment will be evaluated in order to determine his recovery process.”
The 33-year-old felt unwell in the first half of a La Liga match between Barcelona and Alaves on Saturday and was replaced before half time by Philippe Coutinho.
Aguero was then taken to a hospital for cardiological evaluation.
The former Manchester City player has produced one goal in five matches for Barcelona so far.

With Djokovic's leg OK, he sees Australian title realistic

Eddie Nketiah gives Arsenal 3-2 win over Man United

Arsenal beats United 3-2, Haaland hat trick propels City

Swiss skier Yule beats Ryding to win slalom in Kitzbuehel

Defense lawyers seeks bond for basketball player

Fantastic 4: Moreno, Figueiredo extend rivalry at UFC 283

Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 in 2022 FIFA World Cup's opening match

Mesi zaštitio dječaka koji je nasamario obezbjeđenje

New Zealand cyclist Patrick Bevin wins 7th leg of Tour of Turkiye

German star Mesut Ozil dropped from squad of Istanbul's Fenerbahce

China accused of ignoring hockey player's human rights as isolation complaints grow

Formula 1 heads to Saudi Arabia for 1st time this weekend

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James suspended for 1st time in NBA career

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai assures Olympic officials she is "safe and well"

Qatar set to host first F1 GP while title race heads up in thrilling 2021 season

Barcelona's Aguero to be unavailable for 3 months after heart tests

Sports

With Djokovic's leg OK, he sees Australian title realistic

Eddie Nketiah gives Arsenal 3-2 win over Man United

Arsenal beats United 3-2, Haaland hat trick propels City

Swiss skier Yule beats Ryding to win slalom in Kitzbuehel

Defense lawyers seeks bond for basketball player

Fantastic 4: Moreno, Figueiredo extend rivalry at UFC 283

Ecuador beat Qatar 2-0 in 2022 FIFA World Cup's opening match

Mesi zaštitio dječaka koji je nasamario obezbjeđenje

New Zealand cyclist Patrick Bevin wins 7th leg of Tour of Turkiye

German star Mesut Ozil dropped from squad of Istanbul's Fenerbahce

China accused of ignoring hockey player's human rights as isolation complaints grow

Formula 1 heads to Saudi Arabia for 1st time this weekend

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James suspended for 1st time in NBA career

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai assures Olympic officials she is "safe and well"

Qatar set to host first F1 GP while title race heads up in thrilling 2021 season

Barcelona's Aguero to be unavailable for 3 months after heart tests