BEIJING, (Reuters) – Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming claimed Monday that Peng Shuai was in great spirits at last month’s event. Peng Shuai became the focus of attention after Peng Shuai accused a senior politician of sexually assaulting Peng.

She seemed healthy. We chatted merrily,” Yao said when asked in Beijing on Monday about his impressions of Peng at a cross-country skiing event they both attended last month in Shanghai.

Peng’s safety has been a concern of the Women’s Tennis Association, who suspended all tournaments in China. Her public appearances have not helped. It has cast shadows over Beijing’s forthcoming winter Olympics.

Yao claimed that he had been friends with Peng for almost 20 years. He did not speak out on the scandal that erupted last year following Peng’s departure as world No. Zhang Gaoli (ex-vice premier) appeared to have sexually assaulted Peng in the past.

For nearly three weeks, Peng was not visible to the public after her post. Yao was also present at the December party, where Peng said that she never had sexual assault allegations against anyone, and that her postings on social media had been misunderstood. Since then, she hasn’t spoken out publicly.

Zhang did not comment on this matter and Beijing has blocked discussion on the Internet.

Yao spoke with the media just three weeks prior to the opening of the Olympics. He said that he expected China to win medals at speed skating and snowboarding. However, he asked Chinese fans for patience as the country is still relatively new in winter sports.

Yao was China’s most famous and well-known athlete. He was also the face for the Beijing Summer Games 2008. His basketball career is over and he now serves as an ambassador for China in ice- and snowsports.