Tennis News : IOC president Bach plans to Chinese Peng Shuai while in Beijing

IOC president Thomas Bach confirmed on Thursday that he plans to meet with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai while in Beijing for the Winter Olympics.

Bach said at a press conference on the eve of the opening of the Beijing Wintr Olympics that Peng has told Olympic officials she can move freely in Beijing and spend time with family and friends.

His promised dinner with the tennis player is widely anticipated amid global concern for her safety after she accused a former Chinese Communist Party official of sexual assault.

The IOC and Bach have been criticised for taking part in video conferences with her that could not be independently verified.

No details about the dinner during the Beijing Olympics have been given.

The IOC president says if Peng wants an official Chinese investigation into her allegations "we would also support her in this."