August 2008
TEAM DARFUR AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
In addition to her UN affiliation, Tracy, was proud to be attending the Beijing Olympic Games as member of Team Darfur, a coalition of professional athletes committed to ending the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. Although athletes faced significant restrictions to speaking out about human rights at the Olympics, Team Darfur athletes still ensured that the Olympic dream reached out to the people of Darfur.
It was a rocky start for Team Darfur in Beijing. One of the Panelists missing at the 2008 Beijing Sport, Tourism & Development Forum was Olympic Gold Medalist and Team Darfur Founder Joey Cheek. Joey was scheduled to speak on the panel alongside the other high level officials. However, Cheek never made the trip, as his Visa was revoked by the Chinese Government just hours before he was scheduled to leave for China. It was widely reported that China went to great lengths to try to silence any talk of human rights issues at the Olympic Games, as it did not fit in with the image they were trying to portray to the world.
JOEY CHEEK'S VISA REVOKED
Tracy says, "Obviously this was a big disappointment to all of us, but most of all to Joey Cheek himself. Joey has worked so hard to bring people together to help the people of Darfur. He has called on China to use its influence to stop the atrocities going on there and he called on China to take the responsibility that comes with hosting the Olympic Games. His works have been done with class and diplomacy. He has never violated or asked anyone to violate any Olympic rules. Rather, he donated his own Olympic Gold Medal to help the children and refugees of Darfur. He deserved to be here. The fact that China revoked his Visa did nothing but reinforce the negative opinions of what many people think of China's human rights record and their willingness to use censorship to stop the voices they don't want heard. Unfortunately for China, this action cast a greater shadow upon themselves. In fact, China handed a Joey Cheek a much bigger and brighter spotlight which was heard and supported around the world, than he ever would have had, had he been in China. Many who never heard of Team Darfur or Joey Cheek before the Beijing Olympic Games, now know Joey and know about Team Darfur and highly respect its mission."
Here are some of the news stories which circulated around the world after news that Joey's Visa was revoked. All show nothing but respect and support for Joey Cheek and Team Darfur all around the world.
TRACY SPEAKS UP
Even with all this world wide press and examples of intense pressure by the Chinese Government to surpress the issue, Tracy made sure the topic of Darfur was brought up, particularly the need for aid to those in refugee camps. Tracy says, "It fit into the program and the topics that were being discussed at events and meetings I attended while in China during the Olympic Games. You cannot pretend it isn't happening and you cannot deny the need for immediate help to the people of Darfur, just because some people may not want it talked about. I meant no disrespect to China or anyone; I was just simply addressing what should be on top of everyone's political priority list and on everyone's radar. This isn't about egos or painting a pretty image picture to the world, it's about the reality that people are dying every minute we are talking about the issue. We need immediate action to be taken in Darfur. That is the reality."
BIG BOOST FOR TEAM DARFUR
On the same day Joey had his visa revoked by China, the United States Olympic team chose a Darfur refugee to carry the US flag at the Olympic opening ceremony. The Associated Press and Newswires around the world reported that the decision to nominate Sudan-born 1500m track star Lopez Lomong, a member of Team Darfur, further threw the spotlight on China's much-criticized policy on Darfur, adding a touch of political drama to the Opening ceremony at the "Bird's Nest" stadium in Beijing. Click here to read the full story.
Tracy says that she felt an overwhelming sense of pride when her fellow member of Team Darfur, Lopez Lomong walked into the Olympic Stadium. "I was very proud of our US Team and of Lopez Lomong. To see him carrying that flag into the stadium, knowing his story and what he has been through, brought tears to my eyes.
"He is a living example of the hopes and dreams that should be available for all the people of Darfur. They can look at him and say, hey one day that can be me. This should be more of reason to push and push for an end to the violence there and the torturing of innocent people. They deserve a chance, but they cannot speak for themselves due to the violence and oppression they are under.
"They are relying on organizations like the United Nations, and other advocacy groups determined to save Darfur. In the face of all the violence and atrocities targeted at them, they still hold on to a hope and truly believe someone will come to their rescue and their lives will change. We will never stop fighting for them until it's over. We are very proud to have a leader like Joey Cheek who will not back down on this issue no matter what happens."
MORE TEAM DARFUR AT THE OLYMPICS
Here are a few more examples of Team Darfur Members actively making a statement at the Olympic Games in Beijing:
- In addition to Lomong, three other Team Darfur athletes were honored by their teammates and named to carry their nation's flag into the opening ceremonies.
- Team Darfur members met on the last day of the Games to sign the Olympic Truce wall
- Team Darfur members did interviews when they could, including Canadian soccer players and Team Darfur athletes were there as reporters.
- Team Darfur athletes were represented on high level panels about the power of sport to help create peace around the world.
- Team Darfur athletes also made statements supporting peace around the world - on their hands, and through their donations to help child refugees and children in need around the world.