Joey Cheek, 2006 Olympic gold medalist and co-founder of Team Darfur, has been denied entry to China for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Joey, who has also contributed to this blog, had been granted an entry visa to attend the games and support Team Darfur, an international coalition of Olympic athletes helping to raise awareness about the Darfur genocide. Last night, however, the Chinese government revoked the visa.
According to the Washington Post (registration required):
A Chinese official informed Cheek that it was not necessary to give a reason for revoking his visa less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to fly from Washington to Beijing.
In a statement published on the LA Times web site, Cheek said:
I am saddened not to be able to attend the Games. The Olympic Games represent something powerful: that people can come together from around the world and do things that no one thought were possible. However, the denial of my visa is a part of a systemic effort by the Chinese government to coerce and threaten athletes who are speaking out on behalf of the innocent people of Darfur.
The opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Save Darfur Coalition.
friedrich says:
Man, this is just wrong. After all the work he did and to have the rug pulled from his feet at the last minute. It’s not fair. What can we do to help him?
sberry1232001 says:
I am wondering why Mr Creek would want to go to these games? as a Darfur supporter I would think he would boycott them. By supporting them is he not helping fund what his group is trying to stop–
Kourtney says:
Joey Cheek has become quite the ambassador for civil liberties. You should check out the video he made for a project I’m working on I Vote You Vote. You can see the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgrMOQ1D2cE Make sure to visit http://www.ivoteyouvote.com to register yourself and your friends to vote!
oneritearm says:
Hi Mr. Cheek i am a friend of your cousin, Allison from FL and i think even trying to go and represent the uknown in China! You are so amazing and the i just don’t understand why the Chineese Government can do what they are doing and know full and well what is happening!!! My prayers are with you. Also I was wondering if maybe some day you could come speak at my school because a friend and I are starting a club called “RAAD” (raising awareness about Darfur) and it is so hard to get the ball rolling it would be awesome if you could help but I also know you are very busy. Thank you for everything you have already done.
oneritearm says:
sorry some of my words got cut out or something? I ment to say “even trying to go and represent the unkown in China is so inspiring*” and i didn’t mean to put “the” after “and” whoops!