LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. — The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced Monday it has canceled plans for its 2020 Team USA Media Summit in downtown Los Angeles over concerns about the coronavirus.
"Out of an abundance of caution, and in an effort to limit any potential exposure to the coronavirus, COVID-19, by Team USA athletes, members of the media, staff and volunteers, we have made the decision to postpone the 2020 Team USA Media Summit," Luella Chavez D'Angelo, USOPC chief communications and marketing officer, said in a statement. "We are already at work exploring ways to recreate, or find new, opportunities for athletes and media -- be they in-person or remote. We thank all who had planned to attend for their interest, support and understanding."
The summit had been scheduled for March 15-18 at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown Hotel, with more than 115 "Team USA hopefuls" for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo expected to participate. The event also attracts a wide array of journalists.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, meanwhile, announced that it was postponing its 29th annual Media Awards ceremony, which was set for April 6, although a venue had not yet been determined.
"There is no higher priority for us than the health, safety and physical well-being of our community and guests, so we have made the decision to postpone our 29th annual Media Awards until further notice," Sue Obeidi, MPAC Hollywood Bureau director, wrote in a cancellation message. "The entertainment industry has rapidly responded to the CDC's warning with a number of concerts, festivals, film and TV shoots and other events being canceled or rescheduled. These decisions are not a cause for alarm or panic, but are made in an abundance of caution to help prevent the spread of the virus, particularly at large gatherings."
Earlier Monday, the California Charter School Association announced that it was canceling its annual conference, which was scheduled for March 16- 19 in Long Beach, also due to the coronavirus.
