Olympic gold and silver medalist Joey Cheek spoke concerning the Olympics, Africa and activism last night in Wilson Hall.
Cheek recently donated his winnings from the Torino Olympics, $40,000, to Right to Play, a humanitarian organization which helps with the development of children through sports and play in disadvantaged areas around the world. Cheek earmarked his donation for refugees from Darfur.
Cheek said the situation in Darfur was brought to his attention after spending time abroad and seeing stories on the genocide that has been occurring there.
"It's sort of offensive that it's not being covered in the U.S. media," Cheek said. "I happen to believe if it were 300,000 blonde-haired, blue-eyed Swedes we'd have a different response."
Cheek added he hoped to raise awareness and money. According to Cheek, he has helped to raise nearly $1 million for Right to Play.
Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) brought Cheek to Grounds and has been planning the event for the past three weeks, STAND Vice President Aislynn Raymond said.
STAND's goals are raising awareness, fund-raising, divestment and coalition building with other organizations on Grounds, she said.
Cheek won the gold medal in 500-meter speed skating and the silver in the 1000-meter event.
"I knew from the last Olympics, if you're successful you get this brief moment," Cheek told the audience. "I sat down and I said 'I don't want this to be a typical Olympic story.'"
Cheek said he has been doing an East Coast tour of colleges, encouraging students to attend a rally that will be held on the Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 30 in support of genocide victims in Darfur.
"When you leave this University you guys are going to be rainmakers. You're going to be doctors, lawyers and heads of state ... all because of the time people have invested in you."
Cheek also urged audience members to communicate with government officials.
"By the nature of being here you're leaders. Mail postcards to the president ... show support. You can do a lot with very little"
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