| 双语新闻 Bilingual News | 双语对照阅读 分级系列阅读 智能辅助阅读 在线英语学习 |
|
| 双语新闻 Bilingual News | 双语对照阅读 分级系列阅读 智能辅助阅读 在线英语学习 |
| [英文] [中文] [双语对照] [双语交替] [] |
| Over the weekend, the International Olympic Committee drew criticism for saying it was reassured about the safety of the Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, whose whereabouts have been a mystery since she accused a former government official of sexual assault. The I.O.C.’s statement, which didn’t mention the accusations, did little to quell the controversy — and now, a little more than two months before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, the event’s sponsors face tough questions of their own. |
| The I.O.C.’s announcement didn’t convince many — and neither have Beijing’s assertions. The Olympic organizers said they held a 30-minute video call with Peng, the latest in a string of seemingly stage-managed appearances by the tennis star that have done little to assuage critics. Today, China’s foreign ministry decried the coverage of Peng’s case as “malicious hype.” |
| The Women’s Tennis Association, which has threatened to withdraw its tournaments from China, repeated a call to investigate Peng’s allegations. And Global Athlete, an advocacy group for athletes, said the I.O.C. had demonstrated “an abhorrent indifference to sexual violence and the well-being of female athletes.” The I.O.C. told DealBook in a statement that in its conversation with Peng, “she was very clear in confirming that she is safe and well.” The group added, “Safeguarding the well-being of athletes is paramount to the I.O.C. and the Olympic movement.” |
| Olympic sponsors have stayed quiet. Of the 15 companies listed as “partners,” representatives for Airbnb and Coke declined to comment, while others did not respond to requests for comment. (Despite being described as a partner, G.E. ended its Olympics ties this year.) Companies face opposing pressures: |
| Consumers and athletes now demand more of sponsors. Some top sponsors of U.S.A. Gymnastics abandoned the organization when it became embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal, and Simone Biles left Nike for a brand that she said was better aligned with her values. Top tennis stars like Naomi Osaka, Roger Federer and Serena Williams have expressed concern about Peng, raising the prospect that they might pressure their brand sponsors to also speak out. |
| Businesses fear riling Beijing and losing access to the huge Chinese market. Questioning the government’s line could put tens of billions of dollars in sales at risk. Pointedly, this week the Chinese government said it would punish companies that it deemed supporters of Taiwan’s independence. |
| Experts are split on the reputational risk for sponsors. If the Peng situation remains in the spotlight during the Olympics, “I can certainly see some brands becoming more wary of their association,” said Brayden King, a management professor at Northwestern University. Others downplayed the risk: “It doesn’t matter where the games are,” said Rick Burton, the chief marketing officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee for the 2008 Beijing Games, “there’s controversy that something is not right.” If you’re a top I.O.C. top sponsor, Burton said, “you know what you’re getting into.” |
OK阅读网 版权所有(C)2017 | 联系我们