Shanghai Daily news

Tan Dun, the renowned Chinese-American composer, will compose and conduct the music for the entrance of the Special Olympics flag during the Games' opening ceremony, organizers announced yesterday.
Best known as the winner of the Grammy and Oscar for his soundtracks of the movies "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Hero," Tan Dun said sports and music are the same in that both can transcend national borders and unite people.
The Games' theme song "I Know I Can," composed by the most-nominated Grammy artist Quincy Jones, who will attend the opening ceremony, will be sung by a famous Chinese singer, but details are being kept under wraps.
The internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble have confirmed performances in the opening ceremony. Together they will present a new song by acclaimed Israeli composer Osvaldo Golijov.
The creative and production team for the opening ceremony on October 2 includes 12 top musicians and composers from both home and abroad.
"I hope the music can express the Special Olympics' spirit to the world and let all people be surprised by the talent and courage of the Special Olympics athletes," said Liu Tong, music director of the opening ceremony.
According to Liu, the ceremony will open with a drum show called "Harmony: Hearts Beating As One," performed by actors with intellectual disabilities.
"Individually each drum produces a unique sound, but together each separate sound complements the other to create a unified single chord which expresses the Special Olympics spirit of harmony and embrace," said Liu.
Following the drum show, there will be four chapters of performance, with the four themes of the Special Olympics spirit, including courage, sharing, skill and joy.
The participants of the opening ceremony have been practicing three hours a day since July 1, the creative and production team said.
Scheduled to run from October 2 to 11, the 2007 Special Olympics marks the first time the event has been held in Asia. More than 10,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from over 150 countries will participate in the Games.