Technology

CGTN: Clean bill of health for Chinese swimmers: over 600 tests, zero violations

Published

5 months ago

August 7, 2024

BEIJING, Aug. 7, 2024 /CNW/ — The swimmers from Team China in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games have been exposed to a plethora of anti-doping tests, and no violations have been found, despite accusations circulating in some media outlets.

The fact is that Chinese swimmers are the most tested athletes for the pool in Paris.

The total number of tests on the Chinese swimming team has exceeded 600 since January 2024, with each swimmer having been tested approximately 21 times, while their major rivals have been tested on average four to six times, according to official statistics from World Aquatics released on July 23. World Aquatics is the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administering international competitions in water sports.

“They are fully tested,” according to Mark Adams, communications director of the IOC, at a press conference on August 2.

Some of the tests were conducted just to provide “peace of mind” to the rest of the athletes, said Pau Gasol, an IOC member and two-time NBA champion.

“Multiple times in the early hours of the day and night, it’s not easy for the athletes, especially because it disrupts rest, training, and other schedules,” Gasol noted.

“As an athlete, I appreciate the cooperation of the Chinese swimmers in this case,” Gasol said. “Hopefully, this will not happen more often to any other athletes from other countries.”

Testing found no violations

The intensive testing on Team China “is a good way to prove its clarity,” Dong Jun, a sports commentator based in Beijing, told CGTN. “The result will speak for everything.”

Some media reports cited the positive test results of 23 Chinese swimmers back in 2021, seven months before the Tokyo Olympics. However, an investigation showed that the swimmers took the banned substances by accidentally eating contaminated food, an occurrence not so uncommon across the globe.

“There were no infringements or violations of the anti-doping rules [in this case],” said David Lappartient, member of the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Lappartient, who is also an IOC member and the president of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, told CGTN that was “clearly the conclusion” of WADA and the independent prosecutors involved.

“There is no reason to doubt WADA’s position regarding this case,” Lappartient said.

China’s anti-doping efforts

China has been striving with its anti-doping work. The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) said on July 25 that they will work with all related parties to ensure the integrity of global anti-doping governance.

This stance was echoed by the country’s foreign ministry. The ministry’s spokesperson Lin Jian said in June that the Chinese government takes a “zero-tolerance” attitude toward doping, strictly complies with the World Anti-Doping Code, and resolutely safeguards athletes’ health and fair play in sports.

Anti-doping is also an important part of China’s blueprint for sports development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). The blueprint involves upgrading the anti-doping system, revising related laws, and developing innovative technologies for drug detection.

Link: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-08-06/Green-light-for-Chinese-swimmers-over-600-tests-zero-violations-1vQBLaIz41a/p.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-clean-bill-of-health-for-chinese-swimmers-over-600-tests-zero-violations-302216251.html

SOURCE CGTN

Technology

POLLSTAR UNVEILS REFRESHED BRAND, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & ENHANCED DATA CAPABILITIES STRENGTHENING POSITION AS THE LEADING VOICE IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Published

6 minutes ago

January 7, 2025

World’s Premiere Concert Platform To Rollout New Brand, New Website, Premium Digital Edition
& Greater Data Proficiencies

VenuesNow To Merge Under The Pollstar Brand

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pollstar, the trusted voice and leading resource for the live entertainment industry, is proud to announce a bold new chapter in its storied history. The new Pollstar will feature a refreshed brand reinvention, digital platform and data resources, while remaining the premier publication for the global live industry.

Pollstar, the world’s premiere concert platform, to rollout new brand and website, premium digital edition, and more.

As part of this transformation, and aligning with its sustainability commitment, beginning mid-February 2025 Pollstar will shift to a monthly print schedule and introduce a new weekly digital edition exclusively for subscribers to deliver timely reporting and personalized features. These leading-edge services will include predictive analytics and query-based global insights derived from Pollstar’s industry-leading database spanning the last 43 years of live entertainment. Rounding out the new offerings is a redesigned and streamlined website that will deliver faster access to breaking news, data, and analytics while also creating a seamless user journey for subscribers and casual visitors alike. These updates reflect Pollstar’s unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled insights, analysis, and industry-leading reporting.

“Pollstar has been the most trusted resource for the live entertainment industry for decades, and this evolution marks an exciting new chapter,” said Andy Gensler, Editor-in-Chief, Pollstar. “Digital adoption has soared over the past decade fundamentally changing the way our subscribers and the larger consumer market engage with our content and data. With this new digital overhaul, we’re adapting to these shifts by leaning heavily into digital technology, data-driven personalization and a new enhanced website. These new features will allow us to deliver first-class editorial, reporting, and experiences that meet the needs of today’s industry professionals and live entertainment enthusiasts ensuring that Pollstar remains the Voice of Live for decades to come.”

As part of this transition, VenuesNow will merge into Pollstar, further strengthening Pollstar’s editorial excellence and expanding the VenuesNow brand reach through cutting-edge digital platforms. Pollstar subscribers will now enjoy VenuesNow content enabling readers to stay current on the ever-evolving venue side of the live industry ecosystem as venues continue to look to ways to enhance the artist and fan experience. Pollstar is upgrading its leading-edge live industry data with more streamlined reporting, integration of AI and in-depth industry analysis that will also include greater global market coverage. Additionally, Pollstar will remain committed to publish its special issues, including Impact 50, Women of Live, VN All-Stars and NextGen, as well as our industry-leading directories.

Pollstar will continue to host its highly anticipated annual panels and conferences, which have long been a cornerstone of thought leadership and innovation in the live entertainment industry, including the upcoming Production Live!, Pollstar Live!, and VenuesNow Conference. As part of the rebrand, these events will be enhanced to deliver even greater value, including expanded opportunities for networking and collaboration, with upgraded programming and experiences. These enhancements reinforce Pollstar’s commitment to being the trusted industry leader and innovator in creating spaces where live professionals can come together to share insights, address challenges and shape the future of live entertainment.

Pollstar’s rebrand recognizes the rapidly evolving motivations and expectations of its subscribers and the increasing interest of live event enthusiasts to continue delivering exceptional reporting and multidimensional data insights. Pollstar remains committed to its pillars of data and innovation, leveraging enhanced capabilities to foster deeper connections with its audiences and stronger industry partnerships. These efforts will ensure Pollstar remains the go-to source for live entertainment while expanding its reach through digital channels and ensure it continues to lead the conversation in live entertainment for years to come.

For more information visit pollstar.com.

About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in live experience venue development, management, premium hospitality services, and 360-degree solutions for a collection of world-class-owned venues and a client roster of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions. Founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015, OVG is the leading developer of major new venues either open or under development across four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Pollstar Live!, the world’s premier gathering of live entertainment professionals, returns to the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on February 18-20, 2025. With over 30 years of history, this three-day event offers compelling discussions led by industry visionaries, beginning with Production Live! a full day dedicated to those “in the trenches” in live events. Starting Wednesday, Pollstar Live! takes center stage, delving into the most relevant and informative topics for live entertainment professionals. The conference will focus on artist development, data, research, and the visionary strategies driving the global live entertainment industry to unprecedented heights. A perennial highlight of the conference, the annual Pollstar Awards celebration will commemorate the year’s top achievements. Go to Pollstar.live to register and for the latest announcements about keynote speakers, panelists, session topics, and more.

About Pollstar
Since its founding in 1981, Pollstar, “The Voice of Live,” has been the premier publication dedicated to covering the worldwide concert industry. Pollstar data is the leading resource for the touring industry encompassing box office numbers, routing, and directories and produces the world’s largest gathering of live music industry professionals – Pollstar Live! and VenuesNow Conference. Follow Pollstar on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:
Scoop Marketing for Oak View Group
Erik Stein / estein@solters.com
Larry Solters / solters@solters.com
Sam Threadgill / sthreadgill@solters.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pollstar-unveils-refreshed-brand-digital-transformation–enhanced-data-capabilities-strengthening-position-as-the-leading-voice-in-live-entertainment-302344945.html

SOURCE Oak View Group

Technology

Stagwell (STGW) to Participate in the 27th Annual Needham Growth Conference

Published

6 minutes ago

January 7, 2025

NEW YORK, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced Chairman and CEO Mark Penn will attend the 27th Annual Needham Growth Conference in New York City.

Penn will participate in a fireside chat on January 15, 2025, at 12:45 p.m. ET. Penn will also be available for 1×1 meetings with investors.

The fireside chat will be webcast and can be accessed here. The recording will be available for 90 days following the event.

Visit this page to view upcoming investor events and programming from Stagwell. Reach out to ir@stagwellglobal.com with questions.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 35+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

IR Contact
Ben Allanson
ir@stagwellglobal.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stagwell-stgw-to-participate-in-the-27th-annual-needham-growth-conference-302343952.html

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

Technology

Veteran Scripps leader Lyn Plantinga promoted to lead local media operations

Published

6 minutes ago

January 7, 2025

CINCINNATI, Jan. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has promoted veteran Scripps local television leader Lyn Plantinga to the role of senior vice president of local media, effective immediately. In this role, Plantinga will lead local media operations, overseeing Scripps’ team of regional vice presidents.

Plantinga also will continue to serve as general manager for WTVF, Nashville’s CBS-affiliated local television station owned by Scripps.

She has served as regional vice president and general manager for the last year, overseeing Scripps’ local television stations in Nashville, Lexington, Cleveland, Buffalo and Cincinnati.

Plantinga will report to Dean Littleton, who was promoted to executive vice president of media broadcast operations last month.

“Lyn is a seasoned local media leader, committed to operational excellence, strong financial performance and leading teams to deliver quality, objective journalism,” Littleton said. “This new role will allow her to work closely with all of Scripps’ local stations, our employees and the communities Scripps serves.”

Plantinga got her start in broadcast television as an intern at WTVF more than 30 years ago. She held a number of leadership roles at the station – including assistant news director, national sales manager and station manager – before being named the station’s vice president and general manager in 2015.

NewsChannel 5 is the top-rated Nashville station in every local daypart and has generated strong connections in the community. Plantinga’s team has raised money to give more than 40,000 books to children in Title One schools in the area. After reporting on medical costs and their impact, the station purchased and eliminated more than $1.8 million in medical debt for their neighbors. NewsChannel 5’s “Safe Places” initiative led the way for new storm shelters in 48 Middle Tennessee counties. Under her leadership, WTVF also has been honored with the most prestigious awards in journalism, including national Peabody awards; Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University awards; the National Headliner Award; the National Edward R. Murrow Award; and several regional Murrow and Emmy awards.

Plantinga serves on the boards of the Scripps Howard Fund and the General Hospital Foundation, where she is past board chair. She is past board president of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, past news committee chair of the CBS Affiliates Board and has held board leadership positions with Second Harvest Food Bank, Adventure Science Center and Leadership Nashville. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University.

Media contact: Molly Miossi, The E.W. Scripps Company, 513-977-3713, molly.miossi@scripps.com

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of more than 60 stations in 40+ markets. Scripps reaches households across the U.S. with national news outlets Scripps News and Court TV and popular entertainment brands ION, ION Plus, ION Mystery, Bounce, Grit and Laff. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps’ long-time motto is: “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/veteran-scripps-leader-lyn-plantinga-promoted-to-lead-local-media-operations-302344969.html

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company