I won by the largest margin in that event in more than 20 years. This is the shining line on my resume – both literal and social. Every day for the last five years I am not introduced as just “Joey Cheek,” but as “Olympic Gold Medalist Joey Cheek.”

However, as much as that moment changed my life, I’ve learned that what we achieve for ourselves rarely provides long-term pride when compared to the things we achieve for others.

Americans love the Olympics… when they are on. The Olympic spotlight is brief, but when that light is upon us, it burns brightly. I knew that if I won the gold, I would have only a few seconds to capture the world’s attention. I had to make it count.

After I won, I announced that I would be donating my winnings to support the people of war torn Darfur and encouraged others to do the same.

Today the word “Darfur” remains synonymous with the murder of hundreds of thousands of people, but when I made my announcement the issue had not yet fully blossomed into the national consciousness. At the time there were hundreds of activists toiling in anonymity hoping to bring a bit of the world’s attention to the plight of innocent men, women, and children.

In February 2006 I was just one of what would become a torrent of passionate and organized voices begging the world community to utilize its vast resources to end the genocide in Darfur. I believe the efforts of groups like the Save Darfur Coalition and others have moved our policymakers to act and in doing so, have helped to quell some of the violence. I was lucky enough to contribute a small amount, but frankly, we’ve not done enough.

In the past weeks we have seen the well executed and reasonably safe vote for succession in the south of Sudan – an historic feat that followed decades of civil war between the north and south. Unfortunately, during this same time the situation in Darfur has deteriorated. There are reports that more than 40,000 people have been driven from their homes and UNAMID (the international peacekeeping force in Darfur) has been blocked from investigating and even threatened with expulsion. This has to stop, and we can be the catalyst to do so.

Five years ago, I attempted to address the injustice of the events in the Darfur region. It remains my proudest moment.  Every one of us has that same opportunity and it’s vital we take it and take it now. Because while I am the most proud of my moments on the podium after the meet, it’s the gold medal that’s considered a success.  When it comes to the more important matter at hand, we have a ways to go before we reach the finish line.

The chance to give others the opportunity for safety and security is the most important thing we can do in life and while I have many times fallen well short of that ideal, every day I wake up gives me another chance – please take that chance with me.

I used my Olympic spotlight to raise awareness about the crisis in Darfur. We are all capable of being better and bigger than we thought possible.  All we have to do is make the effort.  The people of Darfur still need protection.  In the world of geopolitics progress happens slowly, but it does happen.  It happens when we demand it.

Lopez Lomong / Photo Courtesy of Sudan Sunrise

Like so many of those touched by the conflicts in Sudan, “Lost Boy” and Team Darfur member Lopez Lomong has quite a story. It is one of great hardship and endurance, yet also of accomplishment and hope. When Lopez was six years old, he was kidnapped while attending a Catholic mass in his native Kimotong, in the south of Sudan. He eventually escaped from the government-supported militia that had abducted him and ran to the Kakuma refugee camp. Lopez ran for two or three days to the camp that would be his home for the next ten years.

He later resettled in the United States to attend high school and later went on to attend Northern Arizona University, where he enjoyed success as a middle distance runner. He made the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field team to compete in the 1,500-meter event. His trip to Beijing would include one other task however: carrying the United States flag at the Opening Ceremony.

Lopez is again thinking of the Kimotong Reconcilation Church, the site of his abduction almost twenty years ago. He intends to help rebuild the church with the help of Sudan Sunrise, an organization founded to promote reconciliation between Christians, Muslims, and all Sudanese, and members of the Darfur Students Association at the University of Juba. The church will also double as a community center and provide food and clean water.

Lopez’s project is slated to begin this November. So far, he has raised $21,368 of the $129,412 required for the church’s reconstruction. Please help Lomong reach  his goal and support this project aimed at fostering peaceful relations between Muslims and Christians in Sudan. Projects like Lopez’s will be especially important ahead of the referendum planned for January 2011 as they will strengthen Sudanese civil society.

Stay updated on the project’s progress on Facebook!

Through a bizarre turn of events I recently found myself sitting on the back patio of my favorite Boise north end home while eating humus, sipping pink lemonade, and sharing stories with my friends, local Darfuri’s, and Olympic athletes.

We all know of Olympic Speed Skater, Joey Cheek and his infamous work on the Darfur front- co-founding Team Darfur, rallying together over 400 athletes to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis in Sudan, and being prohibited from entering China for the 2008 Olympics because of his work.

But three days prior to this visit, I didn’t know what the universe had planned.

I got the call on a Wednesday while I was at work: “Olympic Speed Skater, Joey Cheek is coming to town and he wants to meet with you and the local Darfuri community”. Honestly, I was confused- where, when, why… but I said yes and I started making calls and working out details, trying to get everyone together.

It was amazing to me that he would take the time out of his busy schedule (being inducted into the humanitarian hall of fame and all) to meet with local Boiseans and hear stories of our Darfuri friends’ fleeing from their homes, hear our stories of trying to raise awareness, and sharing his experiences too.

Along with meeting Joey, his mom was with him, and Tracy Mattes, the amazing Olympic track and field star. Tracy told us all about her amazing work; opening libraries all over Africa, working with the U.N. and with other Olympic athletes. It was nice to just sit on the patio and talk, it wasn’t intimidating or awkward… and it was natural.

Actually, before my visit with Joey and Tracy, someone said to me “wow, Olympians, look at you, hob knobbing with the best”… Which now looking back, that’s what I kind of thought it would be- I wouldn’t have said ‘hob knobbing’ but yeah, I thought it was going to be a kind of proper; hello, this is us, these are our Darfuri friends, thanks for meeting with us. But it wasn’t like that- the minute they walked in, it was like we we’re old friends, joined together by the same cause. Everyone was so humble and kind, their passion was clear without having to utter a word. And I was in awe of the immediate inspiration rushing through my veins.

I will always remember that day, the motivation it led to, and adding two more people that I can look to as role models.

The Darfur/Sudan campaign ceases to amaze me, and inspires me daily… another reason I’m in this for the long run.

China’s government was so concerned about the possibility of athlete demonstrations in the Beijing Olympics that it created a list of nine U.S. athletes and one assistant coach it thought might cause trouble at the Games, according to an internal U.S. Olympic Committee e-mail obtained by USA TODAY…

The list was given to USOC officials in a July 8 meeting by Shu Xiao, minister counselor for cultural affairs at the Chinese embassy in Washington, according to the e-mail.

You can read the whole e-mail here, but apparently:

“The subject matter had to do with information the Chinese have received regarding the intention of certain members of the U.S. Olympic team to stage some sort of demonstration at the Games, perhaps displaying banners or wearing apparel or wrist bands bearing political slogans,” the e-mail stated. It added that Shu said “many of them” were “apparently associated with Team Darfur,” an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

It’s scary to know you’re on a target list, but instead of being scared, Team Darfur athletes were flattered:

“This may be the biggest compliment of my life,” Wambach, a member of Team Darfur, said in a phone interview when informed of the list. “If they’re worried about us, maybe we do have more strength as athletes and as people to speak out. This just gives me more empowerment.”

“It doesn’t surprise me but it makes me laugh,” said Mendoza, who also is president-elect of the Women’s Sports Foundation. “We’re not burning our shirts and ranting and raving. We’re just trying to help thousands of people from dying.”

Cheri Blauwett, a Paralympic gold medalist who was also on the list, told me:

“As Olympic and Paralympic athletes, we understand that we have a voice, and as members of Team Darfur, we have chosen to utilize this voice to support a global movement to bring about peace in Sudan. Through bringing us together in action, we can provide support for negotiations and multilateral government intervention that promote the end of fighting in the Darfur region and surrounding conflict zones. Our support of peace should not be subject to censorship, but rather, be applauded as an example of athletes acting to promote peace and international cooperation.”

Unfortunately, American athletes weren’t the only ones targeted. Athletes from 5 other countries reported to Team Darfur that Chinese government officials approached their Olympic committees asking them to “encourage” the athletes to leave Team Darfur before attending the Games. The USOC was one of the only Olympic Committees, however, to so forcefully stand up for their athletes.

In addition, Team Darfur’s President – Joey Cheek – and two other Team Darfur members had their visas revoked right before they were supposed to attend the Games in non-competing capacities. The world-wide pattern of the Chinese Government targeting athletes who had no plans to break IOC rules or openly protest, simply because the Government was so scared their connection to the Sudanese government would come out, should encourage us all to ask: what was the Chinese government so afraid of? Some world-class athletes talking about foreign policy? Or, that their support for ongoing genocide would be revealed?

Photo: Joey Cheek in front of the Chinese Embassy.

Yesterday hundreds of 2008 Olympians visited Washington, DC to meet with President Bush at the White House.  Two Team Darfur athletes – Cheri Blauwett and Mike Altman – stuck around to meet with some of the people making real change for the people of Darfur.

Cheri, a 3 time Paralympian and gold, silver and bronze medal holder in wheelchair racing, and Mike, a 2 time Olympic rower, first visited USAID’s Office of Sudan Programs and Africa Bureau for a briefing on American aid to Sudan.

Officers at USAID informed us that since the beginning of 2008 the humanitarian indicators, which include malnutrition and disease rates, have significantly worsened.  They said this marks a departure from the past few years, when humanitarian agencies had been able to reach affected populations with more consistency, so there was less disease and malnutrition.  We learned, however, that the US provides over 1/2 of the food (or money for the food) distributed by the World Food Program in Darfur.  US humanitarian aid to Darfur in FY 2008 totaled over $830 million.  While of course the US, like all countries, can do more for Darfur, it was refreshing to hear how much our tax dollars are doing to save lives.

At the State Department, Cheri and Mike helped the Bureau of African Affairs celebrate their 50th birthday.  At the small celebration, we learned about intiatives that the Office of Public Diplomacy is engaged in throughout Sudan.  We also heard from members of the Sudan Program Group, who talked about the US government’s emphasis on protection, especially the deployment of 4,000 new peacekeepers by the end of the year.

At both meetings people emphasized the importance, and challenge, of the upcoming elections in Sudan.  With so much energy focused on the US’s presidential elections, it was a good reminder that elections hold promise and risk around the world.

It was an incredibly informative day, and inspiring to to see how yet again the energy and commitment of Olympians adds so much to the fight for the people of Darfur.  And, don’t forget to sign a postcard to Obama and McCain asking them to make Darfur even more of a priority in the next administration!

Nearly 70 members of Team Darfur competed in the recently completed 2008 Olympic Games. Team Darfur members won 17 medals and competed honorably on the field. While International Olympic Committee rules prevented them from making open statements about their support for the people of Darfur, Team Darfur athletes in Beijing and at home did what they could to ensure Darfur was a part of the 2008 Olympic dream.

Team Darfur runner Lopez Lomong was nominated by the US team to carry the American flag into the opening ceremonies. Lopez, who was honored by Save Darfur as the August “Darfur Hero”, has an incredible personal story which drives him to help the children of Darfur. Lopez said, “I lived that life before. That’s why I’m a member of Team Darfur. I lived that situation,” Lomong said. “Olympics is supposed to be a thing to bring people together. It’s a peaceful thing.”

From Beijing, Team Darfur member Nikki Dryden covered swimming events and said, “I have been able to witness perhaps the greatest swimming competition in history and had the opportunity to once again celebrate the Olympic Games. Team Darfur swimmers were incredible, performing well in what was the fastest Olympics ever. I was very proud of them, not just for their swimming prowess, but for their decision to join and support Team Darfur. In my heart, they are the true heroes of these Games. At fifteen, Elizabeth Beisel is wise beyond her years and she truly is a role model whom people of any age can admire. Fred Bousquet won silver in the relay and Indian’s first Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra is amazing. Of course seeing Lopez Lomong carrying the flag at Opening Ceremonies was a fitting tribute to an incredible man.”

Unfortunately, other members of Team Darfur were not allowed into Beijing. Joey Cheek, Chris Boyles, Brad Greiner and Kendra Zanotto all had their visas revoked or denied because of their involvement with Team Darfur. Not ones to let something like this silence them, Joey, Chris, Brad and Kendra took to the airwaves and used this opportunity to raise awareness about Darfur and the athletes in Beijing who wished they could speak out about it.

Shortly after his visa was revoked, Team Darfur decathlete Chris Boyles stated: “When I initially joined Team Darfur a few months ago, I had a general idea of the situation.  It wasn’t until recently, however, when began to read and educate myself on the situation and see the complete destruction and gruesome acts against human beings that are taking place and being overlooked by much of the world.  This awareness needs to continue to be addressed. While I am saddened that I will not be able to be a part of the Olympic Games and cheer on my friends in person, I am confident that my voice here will resonate even louder than it would have in the Olympic Stadium.”

Team Darfur President Joey Cheek summed it up: “I remain a huge believer in the power of the Olympic Games to bring people together and to be a force for conflict resolution around the world. The athletes that have joined Team Darfur did so out of a sense that the more than 2 million men, women, and children, who have been driven from their homes in Darfur deserve protection. Brad and I founded Team Darfur because we feel trying to stop conflicts such as the one in Darfur are exactly what the Olympics are about.

The recent media attention that has been paid to my situation has given us a spotlight to focus on the plight of the people in Darfur, but we must continue to fight to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The story of this Olympic Games is certainly not finished, but I want to personally thank the more than 25,000 people who wrote to support the athletes competing in Beijing that are members of Team Darfur. I am moved by your words and I know that the athletes are too.”

Everyone at Team Darfur is looking forward to cheering on the 7 Team Darfur athletes who will be competing in the Paralympics starting next month!

Dear Friends,

I am currently visiting the Darfur region for the tenth time since 2004.

On this trip, I will once again listen to people tell me their stories and again they will plead for protection. Yet again I will promise them that I will tell the world what has happened to them.

This week, you can hear their stories — on the “Darfur Olympics,” my daily webcast August 8 to 15 from a refugee camp.

Sign up to watch my reporting by clicking here — we will even deliver each day’s broadcast directly to your inbox.

China continues to refuse to use its unique influence with Sudan and its role as Olympic host to persuade the Sudanese government to stop their attacks upon civilians and to allow the full deployment of peacekeepers.

You can show your solidarity with the people of Darfur. Watch my daily webcasts during the first week of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Sign-up now and we’ll send you each day’s broadcast. You can listen to my first report from the region — it was on NPR.

Best,

Mia Farrow

In a statement published in an LA Times column by Helene Elliott, Lomong said:

“The American flag means everything in my life — everything that describes me, coming from another country and going through all of the stages that I have to become a U.S. citizen. This is another amazing step for me in celebrating being an American. Seeing my fellow Americans coming behind me [in the opening ceremony] and supporting me will be a great honor — the highest honor. It’s just a happy day. I don’t even have the words to describe how happy I am.”

More coverage can be found on Bloomberg.com and the front page of the LA Times.

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.

I am so pleased and grateful that the Save Darfur Coalition is honoring one of Team Darfur’s most inspiring members, Lopez Lomong. Lopez will compete for the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing this summer. As a Sudanese refugee, Lopez provides a unique perspective on the crisis in Darfur and frequently speaks out about the need to raise awareness about the genocide because “a lot of people here don’t know what was going on in Sudan and I need to send a message as an athlete from Sudan.”

Lopez speaks from experience about what it is like to be separated from home and family. At age 6, he was abducted from a Sudanese church by a militia faction that wanted to turn young boys into child soldiers. He eventually escaped the militia camp through a hole in a fence with three older boys who carried them on their backs as they walked for three days until they reached Kenya, where police arrested them and sent them to a refugee camp. He spent 10 years in the camp, living on one meal a day.

Lopez learned of a program that sought to relocate 3,500 refugees to the U.S. After an interview with a U.S. embassy official, Lopez resettled with a family in New York and attended Northern Arizona University where he began to pursue his Olympic dreams. Now a member of the U.S. Olympic team, Lopez realizes his unique opportunity as an elite athlete to spread awareness about the crisis in Darfur. “As athletes, we need to send the message to the government not to kill or bomb and to China to stop because those guns are not to defend the country, but to kill innocent people. This is the 21st century. We don’t want kids growing up in refugee camps like I did.”

Lopez’s journey from imprisoned child soldier to Sudanese refugee to member of the U.S. Olympic team has inspired his fellow U.S. Olympic teammates. Philip Dunn, a U.S. Olympic racewalker, told me that “Lopez Lomong represents so many wonderful aspects of the Olympic movement: youth, talent, and an ability to overcome amazing obstacles in life with poise and determination. The movement to bring awareness to Sudanese suffering is well served by someone who has lived through it. As a fellow U.S. Olympic team member, I know I will be more inspired by his life experiences.”

Lopez hopes his story will also be an inspiration for Sudanese children. “I’m worried about the kids who are dying in Darfur and South Sudan. The kids don’t have the dream they could be Olympic athletes or doctors. I want those kids to reach what their dreams are. It’s not just what’s going on between the Chinese government and the Sudanese. It’s what’s going on with the people. We hope those kids can pursue what their dreams are.”

Lopez would like to take his message to the medal podium: “I would hold an American flag and a Sudan flag. It would be a way to say, ‘Here was a victim who had to run away, and look where he is now.’”

Of the more than 2 million people driven from their homes in Darfur, at least one or two could be Olympians. Lopez is clearly proof of that, and I hope that when you read his story and the many challenges he has faced, you are as proud as I am that he will represent us in the Olympics.