An Olympic Objective

The 2008 Beijing Olympics selects its music ambassador from Singapore—singer Ho Yeow Sun.
Singapore (13 June 2007)—When the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIV Olympiad was searching for a music ambassador for the 2008 games, the candidate had to meet three criteria. According to The Straits Times Life! section, the person had to be an ethnic Chinese, be a star with a healthy image, and someone who has worked in the international music scene. By meeting all the requirements, Sun was officially named as the sole music ambassador on 11 June 2007. “It was very sudden,” the singer said and was surprised to be approached by the committee for the position.

Part of her role as ambassador will mean visits to several universities in Beijing and Shanghai. She plans to begin this tour circuit in August where she will perform and talk to the students about songwriting, and in the process, allow the students to have a feel of international music based on her current singing background in Mandarin and English. She will assist them in making their songwriting more presentable so that “it will be selected for performance at the Olympics.” The report also said that although the committee will bear the costs of her travel and stay, she will not be paid for the role itself. The singer added that she would be “paid” with the love from the students she will be visiting.

The various songs for the Olympics, including the theme song, will be chosen 100 days before the opening ceremony on August 8, 2008. Song entries will also be open for submission from professional songwriters and singers. Sun also said that she will be collaborating with her current American producer, Wyclef Jean, and famed songwriter, Diane Warren, to write a theme song to be considered for the Olympics.