IOC recognises Xinhua as one of its International News Agencies
The IOC today recognised Chinese news agency Xinhua as one of its four official international news agencies. Xinhua will take up its position alongside AP, Reuters and AFP, with immediate effect.
Xinhua has more than 16,000 staff in more than 200 offices around the world working in eight languages, with three more languages about to be added. They produce more than 7,000 news items a day, with more than 19,000 subscibers.
The agreement came during a tour of Xinhua's headquarters in Beijing by the IOC President, Thomas Bach.
"Xinhua has expanded its reporting on Olympic matters and plays an important role, not just in China but also in the world at large," said President Bach.
"Xinhua has embraced new technology and is helping to spread the Olympic values to all generations. For all these reasons, as well as the high quality and quantity of its reporting, the IOC has recognised Xinhua as an Official International Olympic Agency," he said.
The Recognised International Agencies commit to covering every sport, discipline and event on the Olympic programme, and are invited to join all daily review meetings with IOC media operations and the Organising Committee.