China revokes activist Cheek's visa | Olympics blog | Los Angeles Times

FROM THE ALOTT5MA REPRESSIVE REGIMES DESK: The Chinese government has revoked the tourist visa of Olympian/activist Joey Cheek. The 2006 speedskating gold & silver medalist had planned to attend the Games to promote his Team Darfur organization and join with dozens of 2008 Olympians committed to ending the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Says Cheek:

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. Team Darfur’s main efforts have been to advocate for an Olympic Truce for Darfur, and to raise awareness about the crisis and ask for lasting peace on behalf of the children of Darfur.

The Olympic Truce captures the spirit of the Olympics: around the Games, the world should come together to work for peace and speak out against conflict. The Chinese government’s efforts to suppress athletes, even those who are competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, who speak about essential human rights issues, is a violation of that core Olympic spirit.