Sydney Olympic diving champion Sang Xue has signed with a Hong Kong musical company, looking to make a splash as an entertainer.

The news was carried by the Beijing Star Daily, a Beijing-based newspaper, on Thursday.

The newspaper says the 22-year-old former Olympic champion's first assignment will be performing the theme song for an ad.

The company will seek more songs for Sang Xue and is trying to get her a role in movies.

According to the newspaper report, Sang Xue began to negotiate with the company last year. Sang then made a trip to Hong Kong to receive vocal and dancing training. Her voice and the special charisma of an Olympic champion have made her an instant hit in entertainment circles in Hong Kong.

Sang Xue won the women's 10m synchronized platform golf medal with teammate Li Na at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

(CRI March 17, 2006)