China denies visa to gold-medalist Cheek

BEIJING, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- China has revoked the visa of 2006 U.S. gold medalist Joey Cheek, who planned to draw attention to the Darfur genocide at the Summer Games, Cheek said.

Cheek 29, a champion speed skater and prominent critic of China's ties to Sudan, is a member of Team Darfur, which asks athletes to support peace in Darfur, where non-Muslims have been victimized by government-supported Janjaweed militia.

The Wall Street Journal quoted the Chinese foreign ministry as saying Beijing solely will decide to whom visas should be issued for the Summer Olympics. Earlier this year, the Chinese foreign minister said efforts to link Darfur to the Summer Olympics would defy the "spirit" of the Games.