Broadcasters knew of Olympic singer's body double

By Karolos Grohmann

BEIJING (Reuters) - The decision to have a pretty face lip-synching during the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony instead of the actual singer was taken after consulting with broadcasters, Games organisers said on Wednesday.

Nine-year-old Lin Miaoke was lauded for her performance but was merely a photogenic stand-in for the real singer, who was rejected because of her appearance, organizers said.

Lin was celebrated across China as the angelic voice with the adorable face who sang "Ode to the Motherland" at Friday's opening extravaganza.

But a director of the opening ceremony, Chen Qigang, said Lin's voice was overdubbed by the singing of the real child singer Yang Peiyi.

"The song was pre-recorded," Beijing Games spokesman Sun Weide told reporters. "The artistic directors made that decision after consultation with the broadcasters."

"The artistic directors just picked the best voice and the best performer," he said.

Games Executive Vice President Wang Wei said it was done to achieve a better effect.

"It was a joint decision to achieve the most theatrical effects," Wang said. "I do not think there is anything wrong with that."