Golden voices make Olympic music for Sichuan

Maybe there is a good reason the Olympic athletes were always singing during their touring visits to cities across China. Twelve of the nation's top medallists, including diving diva Guo Jingjing (right), badminton sensation Lin 'Super Dan' Dan, gold-medal gymnasts Liu Xuan, Li Xiaopeng and Yang Wei, and table-tennis queen Zhang Yining, have recorded a song to raise money for Sichuan relief.

The project is the brainchild of mainland sportswear king and now Hong Kong resident Li Ning (left), who along with the athletes will launch it today in Beijing's The Palace. The track, translated as Training in the Rain, is composed by top Hong Kong composer Peter Kam Pui-tat with the lyrics by collaborator Lin Xi.

In addition to the song, the VCD - yes, the release will be on this outdated format, at least to advanced techies in Hong Kong - will include a music video shot at the 'Bird's Nest' National Stadium and the making of the video by filmmaker Susie Au Suet-yee (another Hong Kong connection).

The official release date is Tuesday May 12, coinciding with the first anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Sichuan, and the price will be 12 yuan in China and HK$15 here. All proceeds will go to Sichuan with a priority towards rebuilding schools. Look for the disc featuring those gold-medal voices in your local 7-Eleven starting next Tuesday.