China revokes ex-speedskater Joey Cheek's visa

[babylonsister]

China revokes ex-speedskater Joey Cheek's visa

By EDDIE PELLS – 1 hour ago


Former Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek had his visa revoked by Chinese authorities Wednesday, hours before he was set to travel to Beijing to promote his effort urging China to help make peace in the war-torn Darfur section of Sudan.

Cheek, the president and co-founder of a collection of Olympic athletes known as Team Darfur, was planning to spend about two weeks in China, when he received an unexpected call from authorities.

The 2006 American gold medalist said they told him they were denying him entrance into the country and were "not required to give a reason."

"I didn't see it coming," Cheek said. "I figured once they gave me a visa, I wouldn't imagine they wouldn't allow me to come in later. That was a big shock. I wasn't expecting to get a call the evening before I was leaving for Beijing."

White House press secretary Dana Perino said the U.S. would protest China's decision to deny the visa.

One of Cheek's key initiatives was urging the international community to persuade Sudan to observe the ancient tradition of the Olympic truce during the Beijing Games.

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http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j0FBqMrj0yT6N2XfzAcupFnn7XagD92COHNG0

[Alter Ego]

1. Ah, China. A bastion of tolerance and sanity for the whole world to look up to.

Seriously, was the Selection Committee on acid when they chose the host city for the Olympics?

[sentelle]

3. I'm sure

That the bribes and the hookers the IOC got to select Beijing have done them proud.

Not picking on China, just saying that's how the IOC picks cities, by how much bribes and hookers they are given.

[tekisui]

2. It's going to be a mess.

Bad air. Lock down on free speech in a human right violating country. 4 Americans were arrested yesterday in China for protesting. I wonder how many foreigners will get arrested and what will become of them, or any Chinese arrested.

[knitter4democracy]

4. I'm not sure how much I'll watch this year, frankly.

Normally, I'm glued to the tv during the Olympics. I'm even doing the knitting version (Ravelympics--Mitten Medly) this year, but I'm so disgusted with how China's acting that I just can't bring myself to watch the opening ceremonies this year at all.