On September 13 the design and production team of the 2007 Shanghai Special Olympics World Summer Games held a press conference. The music plan of the Opening Ceremony of 2007 Special Olympics was disclosed for the first time at the conference.

Liu Tong, the music director of the Shanghai Special Olympics opening ceremony

Tan Dun, a prominent Chinese musician, will compose music for the Special Olympic Flag march-in ceremony and also conduct the symphony orchestra during the ceremony.

Tan Dun is a Chinese contemporary classical composer. He is most widely known for his Grammy and Oscar-award winning scores for the movies Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero.

Quincy Jones, an American music legend, has a total of 79 Grammy nominations and 27 awards. He composed the theme song: I Know I Can.

Many famous Chinese pop singers will attend the song's premiere performance of I Know I Can. Quincy Jones said that he would personally attend the opening ceremony on October 2.

According to the Special Olympic sponsor, the internationally renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble have both confirmed performances for the opening ceremony.

Liu Tong, the music director of the opening ceremony, said that the opening ceremony will commence with a drum show called "Harmony: Hearts Beating As One," performed by actors with intellectual disabilities and many volunteers. He also revealed that all parts of this opening ceremony would feature people with intellectual disabilities.

About 400 entertainers will take part in the 60-minute-long opening ceremony on October 2, 2007.

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.

(China.org.cn by Chen Lin September 14, 2007)