August 6th 2008
China’s Heavy Hand Denies Visa For Darfur Activist
L
ike Twoface from Batman, China is showing the sunny, progressive side of its face to the world this week as the Olympics near. But it just can’t help itself, so its dark, despotic face is being shown to the world as well:
Olympic gold medalist and outspoken Darfur activist Joey Cheek has had his visa revoked by the Chinese embassy, hours before the speedskating champion was set to fly to China. And he wasn’t even planning on wearing a mask when he got there.
Chinese officials don’t need a reason to revoke anyone’s visa but, in their eyes, they had plenty of reasons to snatch Cheek’s. He is the founder of Team Darfur, a group of 70 athletes whose goal it is to raise global awareness of the human-rights violations taking part in the Darfur region of Sudan. China’s military, economic and diplomatic ties to Sudan have been well-publicized in the lead-up to the Games. …
Cheek was going to China to support the athletes on Team Darfur — including soccer player Abby Wambach — and to promote the cause, one that he has championed for years. After winning gold in the Torino Games, Cheek announced he was donating his $25,000 USOC bonus to Darfur and implored his sponsors to do the same. (Yahoo Sports)
News of China’s action is no doubt spreading through Beijing’s Olympic Village this morning and hopefully will encourage athletes to take advantage of the games’ global audience to embarrass China about its behavior in Darfur … and Tibet … and Zimbabwe … and Bolivia … and the list goes on.
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