Pelosi asks Bush to help medalist visit Olympics

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday criticized as “reprehensible” China’s decision to deny entry to U.S. speed skater and human rights advocate Joey Cheek and called on President Bush to act on his behalf.

Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Cheek, a gold medalist in the Winter Games in Italy two years ago, is prevented from attending the Olympics because of his advocacy for Darfur.

{mosads}“This action by Beijing’s leaders is part of an orchestrated campaign to deny entry to individuals because of their political views, beliefs, writings, association, religion and ethnicity,” she said. “I call on President Bush to secure the entry of Joey Cheek and other U.S. citizens who have been barred from attending the Olympics because of their beliefs, advocacy for the people of Darfur and human rights in China and Tibet.”

Pelosi added that it is “essential that President Bush show leadership in promoting democracy, freedom and human rights during his visit to China.”

After winning an event in 2006, Cheek decided to donate his prize money to a group that helps kids in Darfur.

“Joey is a magnificent athlete and an optimistic young man, and is to be commended for his advocacy and humanitarianism for the people in Darfur,” Pelosi stated. “It is simply wrong for him to be banned from attending the Olympic Games.”