Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On China’s Decision to Revoke Olympian Joey Cheek’s Visa August 6, 2008 Washington, D.C. – Following reports of Chinese authorities revoking the visa of Olympic speedskater and president and co-founder of Team Darfur, Joey Cheek, Senator Russ Feingold, Chairman of the Senate African Affairs Subcommittee, released the following statement: “China’s decision to revoke Joey Cheek’s visa undermines the spirit of the Olympic Games and China’s role as host. As a world leader deeply engaged in Africa, and as host of the Olympic Games, China has a responsibility and an opportunity to help bring peace to Darfur. I call on the Chinese government to use the Olympic Games to push for an end to the conflicts in Sudan and I call on President Bush to raise this issue specifically with the Chinese government during his visit.” Last week, Feingold introduced a bipartisan resolution supporting an “Olympic Truce” and urging the international community to use the world stage provided by the upcoming Olympic Games to call for an end to the violence in Darfur, Sudan and the wider region. The tradition of an “Olympic Truce” arose from efforts to ensure the safety of athletes traveling to the games, but has evolved over recent years to address the safety of civilians caught in the midst of conflict or strife. The resolution also calls on host nation China to press the government of Sudan, with which it holds close ties, to end the violence. More information on the resolution is available at http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/releases/08/07/20080730.html.

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