PLACIDO DOMINGO - SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SINGER TO PERFORM ENCORE -- LIVE

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD SINGER TO PERFORM ENCORE -- LIVE

The two children at the heart of the Beijing Olympics biggest cheating scandal -- when one lip-synched a song recorded by the other at the opening ceremonies -- will make an appearance together on stage during the closing ceremonies, the Hong Kong Standard reported today (Friday), citing unidentified organizers. An official told the newspaper that, given the original controversy, having the two girls, Yang Peiyi and Lin Miaoke, appear together for the August 24 production would be in the "national interest" of China. At the Aug. 8 opening production, seven-year-old Yang was reportedly removed from the show and replaced by nine-year-old Lin because the older girl looked prettier. Yang's recording of the song "I Sing for My Country" was lip-synched by Lin, setting off a barrage of international criticism. The Standard also said that the closing show will include a duet by Placido Domingo and Chinese singer Song Zuying and a performance by "a 350-man kung-fu troupe."

22/08/2008