Mia Farrow speaks out on Joey Cheek and Darfur

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BEIJING -- Actress and activist Mia Farrow on Wednesday applauded the decision of U.S. athletes to choose a Sudan refugee as their flag bearer for Friday’s opening ceremony and denounced U.S. Olympic Committee members for failing to act on behalf of Joey Cheek, a former Olympian whose travel visa to China has been revoked.

“It appears that U.S. Olympic athletes have a far better sense of the Olympic spirit than the USOC or the Olympic host,” Farrow told the Chicago Tribune.

Farrow, who has been an outspoken critic of China’s government policies, said, “By choosing Lopez Lomong, U.S. athletes are sending a powerful message. They want the world to remember the anguished people of Sudan. Because of his courage, compassion and determination to help the people of Darfur, Joey Cheek was the athlete chosen for this same honor by Team USA in 2006 at the Turin Games.

“The USOC and Beijing can learn a lot from these athletes, if they are at all interested in what the Games are supposed to be about.”

-- Mike Downey