Director General of the International Testing Agency (ITA) Benjamin Cohen had outlined the measures taken to ensure a clean competition while respecting the rights and routines of athletes worldwide while shedding light on the heightened anti-doping efforts in preparation for the Olympic Games.
The International Testing Agency, an independent and top anti-doping organization, said that nearly 90 percent of athletes participating in the games were tested at least once since the beginning of the year. Over 30,000 tests were conducted on more than 11,000 provisional athletes.
During a press conference held in Paris on Thursday, the ITA responded to a question on the increased number of tests taken by Chinese swimmers.
"There is indeed a lot of tests being done. This is normal in a period before the Olympic Games. The ITA and all national anti-doping agencies in the world test a lot more. And so in this case, China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has also increased the number of tests. Now, I think you mentioned the case of Chinese Aquatics and there's been a decision to try and give as much trust to the international athlete's community that there is a good and solid follow-up on the Chinese delegation. So, there's certainly been, and World Aquatics has also announced that there's been more tests done by the ITA and CHINADA on these athletes. So, there's been more tests, but all swimmers and all athletes have had more tests than usual. And that's part of making sure that the games are clean," Cohen said.
"As anti-doping organizations, I think we need to find the right balance between testing athletes, protecting clean sports, but respecting the privacy of the athletes and also making sure that we do not disrupt their training activities, their sleep," he added.
The Paris Olympic Games are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
ITA explains increased anti-doping tests on Chinese swimmers
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth