Martha's blog
Submitted by Martha on May 25, 2008 - 3:51am.
Team Darfur President Joey Cheek in Sunday's Washington Post: I'm not competing this summer, but I am urging others to think about Darfur and about China's relationship with Sudan. China buys much of Sudan's annual oil output and sells arms to Sudan, helping prop up the government in Khartoum. China is also the genocidal regime's key defender at the United Nations, helping weaken Security Council resolutions that might stem the violence. I sincerely hope that the newest Olympic champions not only show graciousness toward their Chinese hosts, but also issue a stern call for action in Darfur. With its significant ties to Sudan, China is one of the countries in the world best positioned to do more to stop the killing in Darfur, and it is the responsibility of athletes competing there this summer to say that -- respectfully yet forcefully -- even as they focus on their own athletic accomplishments. ...
Submitted by Martha on May 13, 2008 - 7:18pm.
Team Darfur cyclist Jimena Florit's piece on the importance of speaking out about Darfur was published this week in online magazine www.VoicesOfTomorrow.org. We want to thank Jimena for writing this thoughtful piece, and encourage everyone to follow www.VoicesOfTomorrow.org as more articles by Team Darfur athletes will be published there in the coming weeks and months. Coming from Argentina, I have a pretty good understanding of what it is like to live in fear. Our history is full of long periods of military dictatorships during which acts of terrorism against perceived opponents of the government caused tens of thousands of people to become political prisoners, many thousands to be executed and over 20,000 to just disappear - never to be heard from again. Even today, many people seeking closure are fighting for justice. Time has not healed their pain. Random violence, lack of freedom, and physical and mental abuse has been carved into our cultural soul - families have been broken, dreams of a bright future have been dashed and too many lives have been ruined.
Submitted by Martha on May 6, 2008 - 3:58pm.
 Reuters is reporting:
Sudanese government bombs have hit a primary school and a busy market place in Darfur, killing at least 13 people, including seven children, two aid organisations said on Monday. A government Antonov plane bombed the village of Shegeg Karo in North Darfur on Sunday. If confirmed, it would be the deadliest bombing raid in Darfur in years.
"According to information gathered by the villagers of Shegeg Karo, the Antonov hovered for a long time and then bombed repeatedly," a joint statement from Darfur Diaries and the Darfur Peace and Development Organisation said. "The Shegeg Karo school was hit and one classroom was destroyed. It was in session," it added. The youngest child to die was 5-year-old Yusuf Adam Hamid. It said two other children were seriously wounded and 30 more lightly wounded. Read more about children just like the ones killed at Shegeg Karo school here.
Submitted by Martha on May 1, 2008 - 4:38pm.
 Que votre pays peut-il faire pour Darfour ?
Che cosa può il vostro paese fare per Darfur? Team Darfur has compiled a resource for our athletes and fans on what various countries can do for Darfur. We've started with Australia, Canada, Italy, UK, and USA. We're actively soliciting recommendations from our partners to include more countries, so keep watching this page! For more information: www.teamdarfur.org/countries For background on Darfur in Italian: www.teamdarfur.org/darfur/italian For background on Darfur in French: www.teamdarfur.org/darfur/french
Submitted by Martha on April 15, 2008 - 3:32am.
TEAM DARFUR ASKS IOC TO CLARIFY RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION AT OLYMPICS:
International coalition of athletes asks International Olympic Committee President to clarify boundaries of athletes' freedom of speech and expression at Beijing Olympics.
Lawyers representing Team Darfur, have today written to the President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge, on behalf of their client, seeking confirmation that the IOC will ensure that athletes at the 2008 Olympics will have the right to express their concerns about grave human rights abuses in line with the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter and the international right to Freedom of Expression. Read the letter to the International Olympic Committee.
Submitted by Martha on April 14, 2008 - 4:05pm.
 Watch the powerful documentary The Devil Came on Horseback this Friday evening on the National Geographic Channel.
On April 18, 2008, The Devil Came on Horseback will broadcast on television for the first time in the United States. Invite your friends, family, co-workers, anyone and everyone to learn more about Darfur with a house screening. Don't have the National Geographic Channel? You can still the rent the film on Netflix and watch along with the rest of the country on Friday or plan your own screening time during the week. Details are available at www.thedevilcameonhorseback.com . About the film:
Submitted by Martha on April 11, 2008 - 7:50pm.
 Team Darfur athletes Joey Cheek and Genai Kerr were featured on ABC World News tonight with Charlie Gibson on Tuesday, April 8th.
 Team Darfur athlete Michael Ditchfield on ESPN.com:
Ditchfield, who has been to Darfur to see the destruction and violence, is quick with a response: "When you're dealing with sport and the Olympics, you've got your talent, you have your arms and legs; those are your weapons. But when you're dealing with restoring peace in the world and you've got a platform because you're an athlete, your voice becomes your weapon, and that can go so far! Far beyond the final whistle or even an Olympic medal -- that resounding voice of peace from a platform that people hear."
Submitted by Martha on April 9, 2008 - 7:38pm.
 Guatemalan Beach Volleyball Player María José Orellana recently joined Team Darfur. When asked why she joined, here is what she had to say: "I joined Team Darfur, because I want a peaceful world, with equal rights and opportunities to every human being. I believe that it is more likely to have peace if children and people don´t live with violence and resentment. People in Sudan must know and have hope that some of us want to help, or know what is going on in their lives. Athletes are role models to youth so we have to set an example and make conscience to them, about world wide issues."
Submitted by Martha on April 9, 2008 - 7:09pm.
Hayley Peirsol was a long-distance swimmer for Auburn University. She is currently training for the Beijing Olympics with Club Wolverine at the University of Michigan. Here is what Hayley had to say about Team Darfur: "Basically, the reason why I want to be apart of something like this is because as I grow older I realize that one voice can make a difference, even if it effects only a handful of people. I also realize how privileged I am to have everything that I could ever possibly need and want at my fingertips on a daily basis and that the people in Darfur are struggling with the things that I tend to take advantage of. I can't help but think of the young girls in Darfur, that are my age, that don't get the opportunities or the resources that I have. The college education, the life of an athlete, the simple act of being able to go shopping or out with friends are things that they may never experience. They are no different than me, we are both young girls with bright futures, with so much to offer and yet they may never get that opportunity to do so because of the terrible genocide that is taking place right now, as i write this."
Submitted by Martha on April 9, 2008 - 6:37pm.
 Jen Howitt is one of the newest members of Team Darfur. She has been to two previous Paralympics in Sydney, Australia and Athens, Greece for Women's Wheelchair Basketball. At the games in Athens, Jen took home a gold medal.
When asked why she joined Team Darfur, she replied: "I'm a member of Team Darfur because I've always felt that the Olympics and the Paralympics are about much more than sport--they're also about bringing the youth of the world together to dream of (and work towards) a more peaceful future for humanity. When a conflict like Darfur continues to cause so much suffering without action from our leaders to end it, we have a responsibility to use our influence to force them to act. That's the true meaning of the Olympic and Paralympic Spirit."
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