#AGERPRES130/Olympic Champion Szabo: 130 years of history, 130 years of news

Through the AGERPRES National News Agency, the public in Romania can select the objective information that it needs, Olympic Champion Gabriela Szabo says in a message sent on 130th anniversary since the news agency started its activity. "First of all, allow me to wish you happy birthday! 130 years of history, 130 years of work, 130 years of news. May you be healthy in order to carry out this job further, as you have done it so far and be close to us because the Romanian public, Romanian readers need news, information and, through AGERPRES, they can choose the information they need and may you remain as objective, as persistent as you have been in these 130 years. Many happy returns and may we see each other again over many, many years and enjoy everything the Romanian press means," former great athlete Gabriela Szabo stated. Szabo was an Olympic Champion in 2000, in the 5,000 meters event, winning Olympic silver in 1996 and in 2000 in the 1,500 meters event. The great former athlete also holds three world titles for indoor and outdoor events, as well as two European titles in indoor events. After retiring from sports, Szabo held the Vice-President and Marketing Director offices within the Romanian Athletics Federation and, between March 2014 and November 2015, she was Minister of Youth and Sports. *** The history of AGERPRES National News Agency starts on 27 March 1889, when P.P. Carp, the then Foreign Minister, signs the birth certificate of the Telegraphic Agency of Romania, which broadcast nationwide "an exact and fast service of all news items of general or special interest." In less than a month, the Telegraphic Agency of Romania started its actual activity, by sending the first 'telegram', on 11 April. Since 1921, the National News Agency has been broadcasting news items and information without interruption. In the 130 years of activity, AGERPRES has kept its role of being the main information source for the citizens and institutions in Romania, as well as the most important source of news about Romania, for those abroad. The National News Agency continues to update the world and provide balanced, unbiased information. AGERPRES (RO - author: Adrian Tone, editor: Mihai Tenea; EN - author: Rodica State, editor: Adina Panaitescu)