The organizers of the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games announced yesterday that pianist Lang Lang would serve as image ambassador for the event and was the first Chinese artist to confirm his attendance at the Games' opening ceremony on October 2 in Shanghai.

The Shenyang native was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the "Big Five" American orchestras (the New York Philharmonic, Boston and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, and the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras), and was named one of the "Top 20 Teens Who Will Change the World" by People magazine back in 2002.

"I'm happy to be an ambassador and attend the Games' opening ceremony, which will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience," said Lang Lang. "Sports and music are the same in that both can transcend national borders and unite."

(CRI February 6, 2007)