Olympic theme song composer donates award to UNICEF

Mr. Chen Qigang, composer of the official Theme Song of Beijing Olympic Games You and Me, presented an Audi car worth at least US$85,000 to UNICEF China in order to help nurture the music talents and dreams of thousands of out-of-school children in less-developed western China.

"I just wanted to write a beautiful song and never expected to receive such a big award from Audi China," Chen said at the donation ceremony on August 15. He received the car from Beijing Olympic sponsor Audi China for winning the Olympic Theme Song competition.

His winning composition was chosen out of 98,871 entries submitted to BOCOG from around the world for the competition over a period of five years. The song enchanted over TV audiences, estimated at around two billion people during the spectacular opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on 8 August.

"When I learnt that there was a UNICEF-supported Audi Driving Dreams program, I decided to donate the unexpected award to UNICEF for the benefit of children in China. Many children in western China still can't receive music education. Through the program I hope we can bring music closer to them," said the composer.

From 2006, Audi's support of the Driving Dreams Project enabled thousands of children in China's lesser developed areas to engage in art education and sporting activities through the UNICEF-assisted out-of-school program, and also brought them closer to the Olympic spirit of participation and non-discrimination. Sports, music and art activities also provide the children with a healthy way to discover their potential and creativity.

"The generous support from Mr. Chen Qigang and Audi will help approximately 6,000 out-of-school children by enabling them to participate in art and music-related activities in 140 Knowledge Information Resouces Centers in 10 rural provinces in western China," said Dr. Yin Yin Nwe, UNICEF Representative to China.

UNICEF China has been working closely in China since 1979 on education programs. The Audi-supported Driving Dreams project is implemented in cooperation with the China Association of Science and Technology (CAST).