2006 Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek is the president and co-founder of
Team Darfur, an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness of and ending the human rights crisis in Darfur, Sudan. Team Darfur advocates celebrating the Olympic Spirit as a means to educating the public about Darfur, and does NOT call for a boycott of the 2008 Games.
Yet hours before Cheek was scheduled to leave for Beijing to promote Team Darfur's message of peace for Darfur during the 2008 Olympic Games, Chinese officials
revoked his visa and denied him entry with no reason given.
The Bush administration has already committed to protesting this latest outrage. Please help us stand up for Joey Cheek, Team Darfur and the right to free expression. Urge China to reverse their decision and allow Joey Cheek entrance during the 2008 Olympic Games!
We the undersigned are deeply disturbed at your government's decision to revoke athlete Joey Cheek's visa at the last minute with no reason.
Joey Cheek is a peaceful advocate for human rights in Darfur. His organization, Team Darfur, celebrates the Olympic spirit, supports all of this year's athletes and does not advocate a boycott of the Games.
By revoking Joey Cheek's visa immediately before the start of the 2008 Olympic Games your government is violating the the Olympic spirit. We urge your government to show the world that China is committed to the promises it made to the Olympic community of increased openness and promotion of human rights by immediately reissuing Joey Cheek's visa to enter China during the 2008 Olympic Games.
