“She explained that she is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time,” the IOC said.

On Wednesday, Chinese state media outlet CGTN tweeted what it said was an email Ms Peng had sent to WTA chairman Steve Simon, who is also its chief executive. "I'm not missing, nor am I unsafe. I've just been resting at home and everything is fine," the email said.