Taiwan Today

Kaohsiung’s World Games organizing committee announced June 10 that British tenor Russell Watson, hailed as heir to Pavarotti, will perform in the event’s opening ceremony next month. The committee has also invited New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra to sing at the show. In addition, the ceremony will also feature several local singers, including Tiger Huang and Shin—former lead singer of the Shin Band. Su Jun-pin, Government Information Office Minister and Executive Yuan spokesman, joined Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu during the June 10 news conference announcing broadcast plans and the games’ global campaign strategy. Chen said she was touched by Su’s presence, because “the Kaohsiung City Government rarely receives such warmhearted treatment [from the central government].” Chen said she witnessed how preparations for the Kaohsiung World Games grew from nothing to today’s almost-ready stage, only 35 days away from the opening ceremony. She thanked former mayor Frank Hsieh, who in 2004 entered Kaohsiung in the competition for the opportunity of hosting of the World Games. Chen also expressed gratitude for all the professional support the city has received, mentioning in particular Taiwan Public Television Service (PTS) and Chunghwa Telecom. Su voiced his support for Chen, emphasizing that sports should transcend politics and that the central government is working closely together with local governments in promoting the games for all of Taiwan. Moreover, Su said he observed with interest how Chen marketed the games in her trip to Beijing. Chen responded that in sports politics are not involved, only peace. The 2009 World Games will be held between July 16 and 26. PTS will broadcast the competition to the world without paying the city government. Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.’s multimedia on demand, hiChannel and cell phone platform Emome have agreed to broadcast the games simultaneously. It is the highest-profile global broadcasting endeavor ever undertaken by local television producers, the KOC said, adding that the audience will find the program creative and original. In addition to telecasting the opening and the closing ceremonies in high-definition, KOC has rented a helium airship that will fly over the stadium to capture the games’ special moments. In order that audiences across five continents can view the games live, PTS is using four satellites, more than those utilized at the 2005 World Games held in Duisburg, Germany. (WFW-HZW/JSM)