China bars speedskater who formed Darfur group

Last update: August 5, 2008 - 11:02 PM

The Chinese embassy in Washington on Tuesday revoked the visa of 2006 Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek, barring the speedskating champion from attending the Beijing Olympics, according to a statement issued on Cheek's behalf.

Cheek is cofounder of Team Darfur, a group of athletes attempting to draw attention to human-rights violations in Sudan's Darfur region. China is a major investor in that country.

According to the statement, a Chinese official informed Cheek that it was not necessary to give a reason for revoking his visa less than 24 hours before he was scheduled to fly from Washington to Beijing.

Cheek had planned to attend the Summer Games, which officially open Friday, to support the more than 70 Olympians from around the world who have signed on to support Team Darfur.

"I am saddened not to be able to attend the Games," Cheek said in the statement.

Another Team Darfur supporter, synchronized swimmer Kendra Zanotto, a 2004 bronze medalist, was denied a visa earlier.

SET UP THAT STORY

The Beijing city government said that journalists who want to report and film in Tiananmen Square during the Olympics "are advised to make advanced appointments by phone."

STILL SHAKING

A magnitude-6.0 aftershock to May's deadly quake struck Sichuan Province, killing one and injuring 23. Earlier, the Olympic torch had passed through other parts of the province.

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