Lost-boy Lomong to carry U.S. flag (at Olympics) (Former Sudanese Refugee)
The United States chose former Sudanese refugee Lopez Lomong to carry their flag at Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony in a move that could embarrass Sudan and its ally China.Lomong, who spent 10 years in a refugee camp after fleeing his native Sudan as a child, was given the honor after a vote by the team captains of the entire U.S. Olympic squad.
“This is the most exciting day ever in my life,” Lomong said … “It is a great honor for me that my team mates chose to vote for me. The opening ceremony is the best day and the best moment of Olympic life,” added the 23-year-old, who will race in the 1,500 meters.
Lopez Lomong of the U.S. celebrates winning the men's 1500 meters race at the Reebok Grand Prix athletics meet in New York May 31, 2008.
Lomong fled on foot from rampaging government-sponsored Arab militias in southern Sudan at the age of six in 1991, becoming separated from his parents.Along with thousands of similar children, known as “the Lost Boys of Sudan,” he was eventually resettled in the United States and became a U.S. citizen in July 2007.
“I’m here as an ambassador of my country and I will do everything I can to represent my country well,” Lomong said.
“This is another amazing step for me in celebrating being an American.” …
While Lomong will no doubt be concentrating on trying to win his race, his selection is likely to provoke extensive debate about China’s relations with Sudan.
Speaking of which …
China revokes ex-speedskater Joey Cheek's visa
Former Olympic speedskater Joey Cheek had his visa revoked by Chinese authorities Wednesday, hours before he was set to travel to Beijing to promote his effort urging China to help make peace in the war-torn Darfur section of Sudan.Cheek, the president and co-founder of a collection of Olympic athletes known as Team Darfur, was planning to spend about two weeks in China, when he received an unexpected call from authorities.
The 2006 American gold medalist said they told him they were denying him entrance into the country and were "not required to give a reason."
Gold and silver Olympic speed skater Joey Cheek, co-founder and president of Team Darfur, an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness and ending the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, speaks during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
From today’s Press Gaggle with Dana Perino:
Q: ... do you have any reaction to the reported decision of the Chinese government to not allow Joey Cheek to come to Beijing?Dana Perino: We were disturbed to learn that the Chinese had refused his visa. We are taking the matter very seriously. We have sent in our embassy in Beijing to démarche the Chinese. That is where we go in and we say we are concerned about this, and we want you to reconsider your actions. So we would hope that they would change their mind. And I'll hopefully have more for you later, but we had to also wait for Washington to wake up to take any further action.