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Sydney Olympics Also Featured Fake Performances

In 2000, city's orchestra mimed to backing tape—by ensemble from Melbourne

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 26, 2008 2:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – The world was shocked to learn that Chinese singer Lin Miaoke was really just a pretty lip-syncher, but fakery seems to be par for the Olympic course: the Sydney Symphony has disclosed that its performers mimed to a backing tape during the 2000 opening ceremony. "It's correct that we were basically miming to a pre-recording," an ensemble official told the Morning Herald.

In addition, part of the backing tape was recorded by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra—though MSO director Trevor Green said it was just to save time. Green also defended Sydney’s "symph synching": "The miming side of it is perfectly normal," he said. "There are millions of people watching and if something goes wrong you'd be snookered."

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Aug. 8.
Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Aug. 8.   (AP Photo)
Lin Miaoke, 9, lip-synched a tune during at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics after authorities deemed the face of the 7-year-old who actually sang the song not suitable.
Lin Miaoke, 9, lip-synched a tune during at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics after authorities deemed the face of the 7-year-old who actually sang the song "not suitable."   (AP Photo)
This undated video frame grab image originally aired by China Central Television and taken from the Chinese website Sina.com, shows 7 year-old Yang Peiyi, the girl who actually sang during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Lin Miaoke lip-synched the song Ode to the Motherland in a...
This undated video frame grab image originally aired by China Central Television and taken from the Chinese website Sina.com, shows 7 year-old Yang Peiyi, the girl who actually sang during the opening...   (AP Photo/CCTV)
Police stand guard as fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.
Police stand guard as fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Some of the footage TV viewers saw during coverage of the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremonies was previously recorded.
Some of the footage TV viewers saw during coverage of the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremonies was previously recorded.   (AP Photo)
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