Tennis player Peng Shuai denies making accusation of sexual assault against Chinese official

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai has denied she ever accused anyone of sexual assault, pointing out she deleted her social media post in November that appeared to make the claim.

The well-being of Peng, a three-time Olympian, became a matter of concern in November when she appeared to allege on social media that a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her in the past.

In an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe at a hotel in Beijing, Peng said: "I never said anyone had sexually assaulted me in any way."

A source at the International Olympic Committee confirmed Peng had met with organization president Thomas Bach for dinner on Saturday inside the Winter Olympics bubble in Beijing.

The IOC will issue a statement on Peng later on Monday, the source told Reuters.