Shanghai (August 24, 2005) – A spectacular show of light and sound will mark both the opening and closing ceremonies of the inaugural 2005 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix as part of a thrilling entertainment carnival, organisers have announced.

　　Sports and music stars will mingle and share the stage as they celebrate China’s first and biggest athletics meeting on September 17, 2005 at Shanghai Stadium.

　　Organisers have invited famed Taiwanese singer-composer Li Tsung-sheng to conduct an E orchestra, combining traditional Chinese music with modern electronic synthesizers in a symphony of music entertainment that will bestow the prestigious Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

　　While the world’s top athletes will converge in Shanghai Stadium and compete at the highest international level, spectators will be treated to a musical extravaganza not to be missed in this city.

　　A dazzling music and light show will give audiences something more than world class competition on the field as organisers intend to show that sports and entertainment do go hand-in-hand much like the entertainment provided in other countries like the NBA championship in the US.

　　After the high-level competition draws to an end, spectators can sit back and enjoy another spectacular show featuring famous and Asian singers under the musical direction of Mr Li. The Shanghai Golden Grand Prix theme song will also be sung and sports stars will get together with such international acclaimed singers like Tau Zhe, Han Hung and Hu Yanbin for the climax of the production. It’s an event of the highest calibre as top rated sports stars and stars from the entertainment business lend their land and attend the show together in support of the event.

　　Hu Yanbin felt excited he will be part of the glamourous show, saying he was looking forward to be part of the very special entertainment lined up on competition day.

　　“I feel this is an honour to attend such a big, world class event,’’ said Hu. “Music and sports can come together. I believe this is what we need to bring new trends and excitement to the event. Young people please come together with us and celebrate this fantastic event,’’ said Hu.

　　Details of the press conference was announced by the managing director of Shanghai Golden Grand Prix Co Ltd, Mary Gu, who was also proud that the city will become a spectacle in more ways as one as the city becomes an important fixture on the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) calendar.

　　The entertainment is part of an ongoing carnival to promote the event, combining the most popular sports with trendy entertainment. With the countdown to the big event ticking away, organisers are busy putting the finishing touches to Shanghai’s eagerly-awaited event, hoping to make the city livelier and entertaining for young trendy people.

　　While the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix is no doubt focusing on the return of China sports hero, Liu Xiang, onto the stage as he competes in his hometown, organisers want to draw attention to people to another important side to the event.

　　Liu’s inclusion in the men’s 110 metres hurdles is only part of the celebration. There are also many other interesting and exciting elements to the 2005 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix.

　　The 2005 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix has been approved by the IAAF and will offer grand prix points in China’s first and most important athletics competition of its kind. It will offer the highest standard of competition in the world with 15 world and Olympic champions confirmed for the showpiece athletics event.

　　The event is organised by the Chinese Athletic Association and Shanghai Sports Federation and managed by the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix Co Ltd and International Athletics Management Ltd and co-managed by the Shanghai East Asia Sports and Recreation Center Co., Ltd.

　　For tickets, please call 86-21-64265678 or 86-21-54076366 or visit the website www.shgoldengp.com for more details.

　　ENDS